At least 5 people shot in Dorchester; child critically injured

At least five people were injured when shots rang out Sunday night in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood, including a child who suffered life-threatening injuries.

Boston police said they responded to Ames Street for a report of shots fired just after 8:30 p.m. They initially said at least one person had been shot but later confirmed responding officers found five gunshot victims -- two kids and three adults.

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The police commissioner, district attorney, and mayor spoke at a press conference around 10:30 p.m. Sunday night, pleading with the public to assist in their investigation.

"We need the public's help and support on this as we canvass area and look for evidence, we ask the public, particularly people in this area, if you've seen something, or saw anything unusual, or cars in the area, please let us know," Police Commissioner Michael Cox said, adding that this occurred in the rear courtyard of 50 Ames Street, apparently at some type of gathering.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said the community has stepped up over and over again, particularly in the recent past, and have been very helpful in police investigations.

"Once again here we are at an unfortunate time where we need the help of our community here, We hope someone will step forward and provide us with helpful information," Hayden said. "Our hearts and prayers are with the young people who have been shot here. One shooting in the city is always going to be too many... this is yet another unfortunate incident where we really need the help of our community to step forward and help out here."

Officials declined to give the exact age of the kid who was critically wounded, but Deputy Supt. Felipe Colon called the victim a "young child."

Mayor Michelle Wu said on a Sunday night, families with young ones, preteens and teenagers should be getting a good night's sleep to go to school Monday, yet two of them are in the hospital now.

"I'm angry. I am upset as a mom, as someone who's been working with all of our teams to make sure that we can do everything possible to create opportunities in our city, and there still are reminders and the trauma that these families and our community are going to face that ripple out," she said.

"I'm praying with all my heart for those in the hospital to recover and heal up, and we need everyone's support on this to partner with the Boston police and the district attorney's office," the mayor added, noting that trauma teams were already out in the neighborhoods Sunday night.

The mayor said officials will continue to work as hard as possible -- and even harder after the events of Sunday night.

"These are the evenings where it just reminds you we cant move fast enough in working to make sure that all of our young people have what they need, that we're getting guns off the streets, " she said, "and that we're being very clear that safety comes first in Boston and that has to be in every single part of our city, not to see repeated and concentrated instances of violence affecting certain parts of our neighborhoods."

It was an incredibly active scene Sunday night, with investigators going in and out of the Ames Street building, where yellow police tape blocked the entryway off. Boston police and Boston housing police responded.

Officials said it's too early in the investigation to say if there are one or multiple suspects. No arrests have been announced. The number of shots fired is also being investigated.

"This should not be happening, period," the commissioner said. "We're going to spare no expense, or you know we're going to put all our resources making sure we bring these folks to justice but we need the public's support."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Boston Police Department's homicide unit at 617-343-4470. Anonymous tips can be called into the CrimeStoppers tip line at 1-800-494-TIPS.

An investigation is active and ongoing.