A man in his 30s and an 8-year-old girl were shot in a Dorchester park Thursday night as local residents were celebrating the Fourth of July holiday, Police Commissioner William Gross said.
The man, who is about 35-years-old, was found suffering from apparent gunshot wounds at Mary Hannon Park, Gross said.
He was taken to a local area hospital where he was in critical condition, Gross said at the scene.
The child was shot in the foot and taken to a local hospital, where she was in stable condition, he said.
Police responded at 10:58 p.m. to a radio call for two people shot at Dudley Street and Folsom streets. Upon arrival, Gross said police found the two victims in an “outdoor crime scene.”
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Crime scene tape blocked the entrance to Mary Hannon Park. There was a heavy police presence. Several officers were stationed around the park, while others investigated inside the park with flashlights.
“We’d like to thank everyone that called 9-1-1 so we could get that little girl some help as well as the gentleman,” Gross said, speaking to reporters at the scene.“We can’t tire enough by saying that unacceptable and we’re gonna have to pull together and make sure that things like this don’t happen in our neighborhoods.”
It is unknown if the two victims are related, Gross said.
“As far as we can tell, everybody was in the Mary Hannon Park enjoying the Fourth of July, as they should be,” he said.
Gross said the city’s trauma response team came to the area, arriving shortly after the police.
“And they will be here tomorrow talking to, not only the kids in the neighborhood, but the adults as well.”
Gross asked that anyone with information to contact police at 1-800-494-TIPS.
No arrests have been made as of midnight.
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“It’s too early,” Gross said, before again asking people with information to come forward.
“Even if you have a description of a car, person, whatever, but we’re actively canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses and video,” he said.
It is not known if the shooting if gang-related or if the man or the girl were targeted.
“It’s not acceptable for an 8-year-old to be injured in this way,” Gross said. “You’ve heard me say it a million times, often these folks that are doing the shooting are repeat violent offenders.”
“Again, electronic bracelets and stay away orders do not work,” he said. “Some people have to go to jail.”
Correspondent Adam Sennott contributed to this story. Aimee Ortiz can be reached at Aimee.Ortiz@globe.com