New details could come to light on Monday about the shocking act of violence Saturday morning in Dorchester, when a shooting left eight people hurt near a Caribbean festival parade route.
Four people were taken into custody.
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Gunfire broke out before 8 a.m. Saturday, after police said that two groups of people got into an argument on Talbot Avenue, while the J'ouvert Parade was taking place nearby.
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The Boston Police Department was present at the parade and immediately responded to help the people hurt, applying tourniquets to some of them until EMS arrived.
During their investigation, police arrested Gerald Vick and Dwayne Francis, both 30 years old and from Dorchester, on gun charges. Authorities also arrested 21-year-old Sebastian Fernandez, who had a gunshot wound to the leg, and a 17-year-old who was allegedly found to be carrying a pistol with a Glock switch.
The Boston Caribbean Festival was celebrating its 50th anniversary when the shooting happened; similar violent incidents have coincidentally taken place during the festival on past years, but officials said Saturday's gunfire didn't have anything to do with the event itself.
“Anytime you have large numbers of people coming together, and I don’t care what event it is, there always collateral events that happen in general," Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said. "Our job is to be there to make sure that they don’t and some ways and more importantly is that they discourage people from acting in a way that’s inappropriate.”
All of those who were shot were expected to be OK.
Police haven't yet said what sparked the initial confrontation. The suspects were due in court for arraignments on Monday, when new details could be revealed by prosecutors.
Gov. Maura Healey issued a statement following this weekend's violence in Boston and Worcester.
"I'm heartbroken over the gun violence that occurred this weekend in Boston and Worcester amid proud celebrations of culture, community and joy. This comes as the city of Springfield faces a devastating spike in violence this summer. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and the entire communities that have been impacted by these senseless shootings,” said Governor Healey. “I'm deeply grateful for the heroic efforts of law enforcement, public safety personnel and first responders whose quick actions have saved lives. Our administration is committed to being a strong partner to cities and towns by collaborating on a coordinated approach to get illegal guns off the streets, address the root causes of violence, and ensure safe communities for all.”
