New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
“At about 7:44 AM, on Saturday, August 26, 2023, officers who were in the area of Blue Hill Avenue and Talbot Avenue in Dorchester for the annual J’ouvert Parade, part of Boston’s Caribbean Festival, witnessed and responded to gunfire and multiple people injured. As part of planning for the weekend’s celebrations there was a full call out of all sworn members of the Department.
Six adult males and two females were shot, five males and one female victim were transported to area hospitals and two additional victims with graze wounds from the shooting declined treatment. The victim’s injuries are considered non-life threatening.
Boston Police officers administered tourniquets and other first aid/ life saving techniques until Boston EMS arrived. Our Officers’ diligence also resulted in the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of two firearms on scene.
Officers assigned to District B-3 arrested Gerald Vick, 30 and Dwayne Francis, 30, both of Dorchester on scene shortly after the shootings. Officers recovered from Vick a 9mm pistol with a large capacity magazine, equipped with a “Glock switch” that enabled the firearm to fire continuously. Francis was found to be in possession of a loaded 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol. Both suspects were transported to District 3 and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and will be arraigned in Dorchester District Court on Monday.
Detectives from B-3 canvassed the area and obtained video which showed two males involved in the initial gunfire. One of the males involved in the shootout was shot in the leg during the exchange and limped into the tow lot after the shooting where he had a tourniquet applied to him by officers and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
He was later identified as Sebastian Fernandez 21 years of age. Fernandez was subsequently arrested for the shooting and is being guarded at a local hospital. After an extensive and thorough search, no firearm was located. A second male in the video was observed wearing a black hooded shirt with white writing and black sweatpants. This individual fled on foot into the rear of the Boys and Girls Club towards Franklin Field and made good his escape.
A description was broadcasted and a few hours later at about 1:50 p.m. officers observed a male matching the description on Westview St. Officers stopped the individual to conduct a threshold inquiry and found the 17-year-old male from Dorchester to be in possession of a Polymer 80 pistol equipped with a “Glock switch”. He was placed under arrest for firearm possession, while his involvement in the prior incident is under investigation.
Mayor Michelle Wu and Police Commissioner Michael Cox held an update just before the Boston Caribbean Carnival Parade stepped off and were joined by the event’s organizers.
“I thank the Boston Police Department for their strong presence at this morning’s event and swift action to apprehend every individual involved in today’s shooting, and to the EMS and all first responders for their service today. Suspects from today’s shooting are in custody and multiple weapons have been recovered. We will not allow violence and illegal guns to endanger our community or public celebrations, and the City will diligently support the prosecution of those involved,” said Mayor Wu.
Commissioner Cox said, “these individuals displayed a complete disregard for human life in the midst of one of the City’s cultural celebrations, endangering the lives of hundreds of people. We are proud of all of our officers for their quick and professional response in the speedy apprehension of these individuals. This should send a clear message to anyone who comes into our City that we will not stand for this type of violence, and we will use all our means to identify you and apprehend you.”
The Talbot Ave shooting investigation remains active and members of the community who have information or video are asked to contact District B-3 detectives at (617) 343-4700 or it can be shared anonymously at the Boston Police Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word “TIP” to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently protect the identities of anyone who wishes to help this or any investigation.
About 3:00 PM on Saturday, Officers and Detectives assigned to the Youth Violence Strike Force made an on-site firearm arrest of Nakhi Cox-Obryant, 18, of Dorchester at 602 Blue Hill Ave. in Dorchester. Police recovered a loaded 9 mm Taurus G2C. She was charged with: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License, and Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device. She will be arraigned in the Dorchester District Court on Monday.
About 4:59 PM on Saturday Officers and Detectives assigned to the Youth Violence Strike Force and Drug Control Unit made the onsite firearm arrest of Maceo Withers-Brewer, 21, of Boston in the area of Old Rd/Ellington St in Dorchester after responding to a call for shots fired in the area. Withers-Brewer was charged with Possession of a Machine Gun, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Resisting Arrest, and Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine. He will be arraigned in the Dorchester District Court on Monday.”-Boston Police Department.
UPDATE at 9:15am Sunday:
At about 5:04 PM, on Saturday, August 26, 2023, officers assigned to the Caribbean Festival event arrested Limondji Simon, 26, of Medford, on firearm related charges.
Officers were flagged down by an individual in the area of 522 Blue Hill Avenue, who informed officers that a male suspect had a firearm. Officers were made aware that the suspect was behind a motor vehicle. As officers approached the motor vehicle, they observed two male suspects. Officers immediately were alerted to one suspect as they observed a firearm inside a fanny pack.
The suspect attempted to reach for the firearm, and a violent struggle ensued. Officers were attempting to handcuff one suspect, and the other suspect attempted to pull the fanny pack from officers. With the assistance of responding officers, the suspect was handcuffed, and the other suspect fled the scene.
The firearm was later determined to be a Ghost Gun with one round in the chamber and ten rounds in the magazine.”-Boston Police Department.
All photos by the Boston Police Department:
