Two people, including a teenager, were injured in a shooting that occurred at Worcester’s Caribbean Festival on August 27, according to the Worcester Police Department. The incident took place on Saturday evening when officers heard gunshots in the Salisbury and Boynton Streets area. The gunshots caused panic among the festival attendees, resulting in a chaotic scene as a large crowd attempted to flee from the gunfire.
Both a 15-year-old and a 23-year-old were shot during the incident and were immediately taken to the hospital for treatment. Thankfully, their injuries were deemed non-life-threatening by the police. Authorities believe that the shooting was the result of a dispute that had taken place earlier on Boynton Street, close to the intersection with Salisbury Street. It is important to note that both victims were innocent bystanders and were not involved in the dispute, nor were they targeted intentionally.
Curiously, this shooting in Worcester occurred just a day after eight people were shot during Boston’s Caribbean Festival on Saturday morning. Five men and one woman were hospitalized as a result, while the remaining two victims declined medical treatment. Fortunately, none of the injuries sustained in Boston were considered life-threatening, and the festivities continued despite the incident, leading to several arrests later in the day.
At present, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting in Worcester, and the police have yet to identify any suspects. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. Individuals can submit anonymous tips by sending a text to 274637 with the message TIPWPD or by visiting the web portal at worcesterma.gov/police. Additionally, calls can be made directly to the Worcester Police Detective Bureau at (508) 799-8651.
Overall, the incidents at both the Worcester and Boston Caribbean Festivals have raised concerns about public safety and the need for increased security measures at large-scale events. It is incredibly unfortunate that innocent individuals were injured in these incidents, and it is crucial that those responsible for the shootings are apprehended swiftly and brought to justice. The local community and law enforcement agencies must work together to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone attending such gatherings in the future.
