Man, 28, shot to death at busy intersection
A 28-year-old man was killed beside his car in a daylight shooting at a busy Dorchester intersection yesterday, one day after a woman was shot to death less than a mile away.
The victim, whom police did not identify, was shot multiple times in front of an apartment complex at Blue Hill Avenue and Esmond Street about 4:20 p.m. He was pronounced dead at Boston Medical Center shortly before 5 p.m. Authorities said the shooting did not appear to be random.
Police would not say whether they believed yesterday's slaying was connected to the shooting death of a woman in her 30s on Talbot Avenue in Dorchester on Tuesday night. A 21-year-old man also was shot in that attack. The victims in the earlier shooting also have not been identified.
In yesterday's shooting, witnesses gave authorities a description of a suspect who was seen fleeing the scene through a yard. Police did not release that description.
A black Ford Taurus with its driver's and front passenger's side windows blown out sat on Esmond Street, several feet from Blue Hill Avenue, as area residents returning from work waited to get past police tape to their homes.
Children peered through school bus windows and snapped pictures with cellphone cameras as they passed the scene. Blue Hill Avenue was backed up for blocks during the evening rush hour.
"This is a busy intersection," Deputy Superintendent Thomas Lee said at the scene. "People were around, and several people are helping us out."
Lee said the victim was getting out of the car when the shooting occurred. He said the gunshots were detected by the ShotSpotter system and reported by 911 callers.
Police would not say how many shots were fired, but two witnesses reported hearing four gunshots.
"We're still investigating to see whether any buildings were struck or any other vehicles driving by," Lee said.
Mike Nunez, 54, said he heard three shots in quick succession, a pause, and then one more.
"At first, I didn't think it was gunshots because it sounded too loud," said Nunez, who works at Brother's Super Liquor at the intersection. "Then somebody came in and said somebody got shot outside."
The shooting brought the number of homicides in the city this year to 57, one fewer than at this time last year.
Anyone with information on the crimes is asked to call 617-343-4470 or to text the word tip to 27463 to remain anonymous.
Correspondent Michael Naughton contributed to this report. 