Three killed in holiday violence

By Peter Schworm, Globe Staff

Seven people were shot in Boston Friday night and early this morning, two of them fatally, in a spasm of violence marring the Fourth of July holiday.

The two slayings followed the fatal beating of a 40-year-old man Friday morning near Faneuil Hall. The three victims have not been identified, and police have made no arrests so far in the crimes.

Police described the latest victim as a 20-year-old man, who was shot outside his Roxbury home around 1:30 a.m. today, and was later pronounced dead. Police said they have no suspects.

At 8 p.m. Friday, a 17-year-old boy was shot in the head and killed at a cookout in Hyde Park. Police said they were investigating whether the shooting was gang-related.

Shortly after 2 a.m. today, four people were also shot in their car outside a Hyde Park convenience store after being approached by a group of young males, police said. The four were able to speed away from the gunmen and call for help, and were later transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

Around 4 a.m. today, a man in his early to mid-20s was shot in Uphams Corner, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries.

Police are also investigating yesterday's brazenly public beating of a man in a downtown park near the Faneuil Hall tourist district just before noon. A witness told the Globe that the victim was approached by four others and beaten over the head with what appeared to be a towel containing a hard object.

Authorities were looking for an assailant described as a black man, 6 feet, 2 inches tall, wearing a red shirt, and carrying a white bag.

"We have spoken with a couple of witnesses but we are looking for more people to come forward," said Boston police spokesman, Officer Eddy Chrispin.

Thirty-three killings have been reported so far in in Boston this year, one more than at this time a year ago.

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