Two Teenagers Charged In Fatal Shooting Of Dorchester Boy
BOSTON (CBS) – Boston police announced on Saturday they have arrested two teenagers for the shooting death of a 16-year-old Dorchester boy.
The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office identified one of the arrested juveniles as Dushawn Taylor-Gennis, 16, of Dorchester. A 14-year-old was also arrested but won't be identified until a criminal complaint is filed on Monday morning.
Both juveniles have been charged with the fatal shooting of Jonathan Dos Santos.
The teenager was shot and killed while riding his bike in the area of Fuller and Washington Streets just before 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
During a press conference, Evans said the arrests should send a message to the community.
"We got the two individuals. Clearly this sends a strong message that we're going to get whoever is responsible for terrible acts like this," said Evans, who added that police received countless tips in its investigation.
"The response we got was overwhelming. It shows the community is not going to tolerate when a 16-year-old is shot."
Two men were seen running from the area of the shooting, and police said it appeared Dos Santos was targeted.
On Saturday, Evans said it does not appear the act was random, adding that the three lived in the same neighborhood and knew each other.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh added that the city has work to do to dismantle gang activity and curtail violence.
"We need the community to help us take back the streets," Walsh said.
Evans did not expand on motive for the shooting.
He said the families of the two teens arrested were cooperative with the investigation.
The police commissioner added that officers want to send the message that decisions made by youth can have deadly consequences.
"I don't think these young kids understand the value of life," Evans said.
Joao Depina, a family friend of Dos Santos, called the arrests a "triple loss" based on how young the victim and arrested teens are.
"Everyone in the home is joyful," he said, "But we are also in pain at the same time."
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports: