Jamaica Plain man fatally shot outside home

Victim on way back from work

A 27-year-old Jamaica Plain man was shot and killed outside his family's home yesterday, police said.

He was taken to Boston Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead, said Officer James Kenneally, a spokesman for the Boston Police Department.

It was the city's 49th homicide this year, compared with 59 at the same time last year.

The shooting occurred on Rossmore Road, near the intersection with Forest Hills Street. Neighbors reported hearing three gunshots just before 3 p.m.

Cesar Gonzaraz, a West Roxbury man who identified himself as the victim's uncle, said his nephew, Garibal DePeña, was coming home from work when he was shot. He did not say where his nephew was employed.

"He's a good kid," Gonzaraz said. "I don't know what happened."

Police did not identify the victim, nor would they speculate on a motive.

Neighbors were stunned.

Luis Gonzalez, a 47-year-old man who lives on Forest Hills Street, around the corner from the shooting, said he heard the gunshots from inside his apartment. He said the gunfire was so loud he thought it came from next door.

"I just heard three shots," Gonzalez said. "Pow, pow, pow."

The victim's relatives gathered at the end of the street, which had been closed by police investigating the shooting. Relatives said they did not know the condition of the victim.

Jesse and Hilary Southwick, residents of Rossmore Road, were raking leaves at the curb about an hour after the shooting. They were inside when the shooting occurred, but came outside after hearing what turned out to be gunshots.

"It's unsettling, unfortunate," said Jesse Southwick, 32.

Hilary Southwick, 31, said her neighbors looked out for one another and that violence was not common.

"We all know each other, watch out for each other," she said.