Seven people were shot at Boston’s Caribbean Carnival on Saturday morning leading to calls for a subsequent event this afternoon to be cancelled.
Officers responded to Blue Hill Avenue and Talbot Avenue in the Dorchester area of the city at about 7.44am on Saturday.
“Seven victims have been shot and transported to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. Firearms have been recovered and arrests made,” the Boston Police Department told The Independent.
According to Boston Police Department Commissioner Michael Cox, “This morning’s shooting is not related to the parade that occurred.” He added that officers applied tourniquets and helped all the all the shooting victims.
Mr Cox asked that any witnesses or people at the festival who have video footage to come forward to help with the police’s investigation.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said, “It's always just heart wrenching to hear that treasured community event has been disrupted by acts of violence for those who had nothing to do with the event.” She added that there was “absolutely no excuse for something that is open to the community and part of Boston culture and heritage to be talked about in this way because of the the acts that were introduced.”
City Council President Ed Flynn said in a statement: “Today’s mass shooting highlights the gun violence crisis we are facing. This is a public health & public safety emergency.” He added that Boston Police continues to “confiscate and recover guns at an alarming rate and now is the time to come together & develop a gun violence strategy in Boston.”
The city’s first Caribbean Carnival parade occurred in 1973, while Boston Carnival Caribbean week was signed into law in 1997, according to its website.
The festival usually draws tens of thousands of people from all over the area, and includes many events like a Caribbean-style J’Ouvert celebration, a steelpan competition, and a masquerade ball.
