Mother, 2-year-old son shot in Dorchester, Boston Police searching for suspect
BOSTON - A mother and her 2-year-old son were shot in Boston late Monday night. Police were called to the corner of Stratton and Ames streets in Dorchester around 11:40 p.m. and found the woman and the child suffering from gunshot wounds in a driveway.
The 24-year-old woman was shot in the torso, and her 2-year-old son was shot in the head. They were rushed to two different hospitals.
There have been no arrests and police spent much of the night searching the neighborhood for evidence.
Grandmother says she will pray for shooter
Fatima Depina Ortiz said her daughter and baby grandson were shot while they were out in the driveway of their Dorchester home after returning friend's house. She said she expects both of her family members to survive.
"Now my daughter is OK. My grandson doing well. I believe in God. I believe in justice, so thank you everybody for praying for my family," Depina Ortiz said. She said she forgives the shooter. "Love him. I'm going to pray for him."
The crime startled neighbors, who said the neighborhood is full of children.
A neighbor said he heard a "boom, boom, boom" as the shots happened. "This is the first time that something like this has happened, so it makes me very anxious because my brother literally goes to school right across the park right there," he said.
Another neighbor said they believe their Ring camera went off around the time of the shooting.
"Pretty heinous act"
"This is a pretty heinous act in general, pretty cowardly. I can't think of any reason why somebody would want to shoot a female and a young child for any reason, so we really need the public's help and support on this one," Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox told reporters.
Cox said he's looking for any video of the shooting to help police catch the person responsible. "This happened outside in a driveway area, and we certainly would like anyone who's seen anything and we need anyone who has seen or heard anything or any video, please contact us."
"There's no possible reason for violence in our city, especially when it comes to young people and our very young children. So, I'm horrified to have heard of the news," Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said Tuesday.
"I know the police department is working through their investigation. They have good information, but are continuing to ask for the public's help and support and anything that anyone might have seen."
"We are pushing out every resource that we can, particularly to make sure there's accountability in this case," the mayor added.
Anyone who has information is urged to call Boston Police at 617-343-4470 or 1-800-494-TIPS.
