Man fatally shot in Jamaica Plain shopping district
By Milton J. Valencia, and Maria Cramer, Globe Staff
A reputed gang member was fatally shot in broad daylight at a busy shopping district in Jamaica Plain Tuesday afternoon, shocking passersby who watched in horror as an MBTA Transit police officer tried to save the man’s life on a crowded sidewalk.
The man was taken to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where he later died. Police did not release the victim’s name last night, but two law enforcement officials with knowledge of the investigation said he is Anthony Perry, 22, an alleged member of a Jamaica Plain area gang.
Perry was shot in the head, one of the officials said. The officials asked for anonymity because the case is under investigation.
The brazenness of the 1:40 p.m. shooting alarmed police, who fear that Perry’s associates could retaliate and jeopardize a fragile truce between two rival street gangs with a long history of violence.
‘‘The victim is well known to us,’’ said Elaine Driscoll, a spokeswoman for the Boston Police Department. ‘‘Investigators believe this was a targeted incident."
Perry’s family did not want to comment Tuesday night.
After the shooting, four people were seen speeding off in a Pontiac down Walden Street, and police credited a detective from the B-2 division in Roxbury with seeing the car and stopping it. The men were brought in for questioning, and late last night two of the occupants were charged in connection with the shooting.
Chris Jamison, a 23-year-old reputed rival gang member, was charged with murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition, Driscoll said. Also, Shaba Olukoga, 19, was charged with accessory after the fact to murder, she said.
The men are expected to be arraigned Wednesday.
The shooting occurred at the intersection of Centre and Walden streets, near the Fellowship Church of God and not far from a Stop & Shop shopping plaza.
The business district is typically crowded during the afternoon, with car and bus traffic and pedestrians from the Jackson Square train stop.
Witnesses said Perry tried to flee after the shooting, making it more than 30 yards along a row of shops before collapsing in front of the 99 Cents shop, at 319 Centre St.
"He was just on the ground bleeding. People were around him screaming, ‘call the police,’ ’’ said Johaira Suazo, of the Castillo Services cellphone store. She said a woman came rushing into her store, horrified by the shooting, and that’s when Suazo saw Perry collapse.
Several residents took video footage of the scene. In the footage, terrified witnesses can be seen surrounding Perry on the sidewalk. ‘‘They were all around,’’ said Santo Ramirez, a 51-year-old man who taped some of the footage.
Then, a police official — later identified as Detective Lieutenant Mark Gillespie of the MBTA Transit police — can be seen trying to resuscitate Perry. Gillespie struggled for several minutes until an ambulance crew arrived.
‘‘They tried really hard to bring him back,’’ said Jose Espinal, of J.P. Records, who watched the scene unfold from his storefront window. ‘‘I didn’t know what was going on. We’ve never seen that before."
The area, near the Bromley-Heath housing project, has had violence before — but not like this and not during broad daylight, residents said.
‘‘It’s never been so blatant, with people coming down the street to shoot,’’ said Bobby Bishop, 31, a musician who lives near the site of the shooting. ‘‘There was a lot of people out there.’’
Comment
Permalink
Email
It's really sad to see things like this happening in broad daylight.
I know someone who witnessed it and said it was not a pretty sight. This image will haunt him forever.
To live in this area that is suppose to be an up and coming community scares me. If the state and Menino plan to change the community, I hope they start soon.
would it be better if they did it at night???
where is boston's finest when they are suppose to be patrolling??????
enough is enough of hearing of this everyday.
I'm not surprised. That area has always been sketchy.
This is very sad. But how do we know his name is Perry if police did not release his name?
They need foot officers in that area running checks on people who are loitering. TONS of young (of working age 18-30) kids/adults hanging out in front of the Heath Street projects area and the T-Stop up to no good. It is ten times worse in the summer.
Great journalism--you say the victim is un-named and then you write his last name toward the end of the article. And people wonder why newspapers are dying. They can't even cover death.
Whoops. "Police did not release the man's name tonight."
.......witnesses described how PERRY tried to flee after the shooting....
someone at the copy desk made a slip.
Whoever the victim is and whatever his past, may the shooter suffer his own nightmares and spend a long time behind in cold steel.
And if you think it's bad now, wait until they start laying off police officers! You'd better get in touch with your Congressmen/women and tell them we need the law enforcement relief from Obama's proposals...and soon!!!
They are to busy pulling people over in the neighborhood over for traffic stops or bothering the locals about what breed of dog they own. I watch drug deals go on every day in my neighborhood, with children walking by. I love this neighborhood but i'm sick of it.
Name not released, huh? Then who's "Perry"?
The victim is well known to police. No loss.
If the police have not released his name, why do you refer to him as Perry in the article. Maybe they are not releasing the name for a reason, like next of kin notification or a following a lead on who did this? One would hope that Boston.com would wait for police to release the name before casually doing so.
Tilly, you're an idiot. The police can't be everywhereall the time. Blame the police for these thugs who have no respect for life, that makes sense.
Who is Perry and when did they stop teaching basic journalism to globe reporters and editors? Why a random mention of "Perry"? First name or last? Is he the victim. Are you really trained writers?
Do not blame the police, blame the drug dealers.
Shouldn't a story about Jamaica be in the International section?
I'm sure this was gang related or some sort of vengeance...and this is when an innocent bystander could have been caught in this shooting.I agree with Hapnow! NO LOSS. And police need to patrol the areas of the city with the punks and thugs hanging around, rather than standing at a corner and stopping people for expired inspection stickers. WAKE UP.
Another poignant reminder that is not, nor has it ever been, the responsibility of the police to prevent crime. Showing up AFTER THE FACT, filling out paperwork, and drawing a chalk outline around the stiff? They EXCEL at that. That's what they're paid to do.
Of course, Menino doesn't want regular people to actually do anything to protect themselves and their families from these scumbags. The scumbags OWN the city. Menino likes it that way - keeps the peasantry inline.
Ok. First off, please read the following:
Police did not release the victim’s name last night, but two law
enforcement officials with knowledge of the investigation said he is
Anthony Perry, 22, an alleged member of a Jamaica Plain area gang.
Think for a second.... you can do it..... ok. Got it? It's called anonymity.
HMMM...hello. It happened today.
The police are not at fault here, its the parents (or lack of) that are raising children to become gang members. Why is it that we only see this kind of violence happen in communities where there are a large numbers of single mothers? You would never hear of this happening in nice middle class towns like Wakefield or Watertown. There is a serious problem within the classes that produce gang members and the solution has to come from within. People need to start taking accountability for their own situations. If you have a child you have a responsibility to raise that child properly with two parents, not depend on the state to raise the child for you. It HAS to stop becoming socially acceptable to be a single mother.
You know what non of ya knew him so don't be assuming thing ok...know before you talk that's for all of yall...r.i.p t.p
This is sooo creepy!! Typing my dudes name, seeing it in the papers in stuff.... just has my mind wondering.... wat is the world coming 2??? People of boston!! Violence is gettin ridicoulus.. No1 deserves they're life 2 be taking.. Some of these comments I find so disrespectful!! NO LOSS??? Come on now!! How could u be so heartless? This is the life he chose but it sucks cus it hurts his loved ones the most!! TP will NEVER be 4gotten!! R.I.Paridise my dude!!! LoVe u!!
Not all single mothers are single by choice. So let's talk about the REAL inner city problem - it's called inferior education; hence joblessness and then all that follows to survive day to day. Until teachers/administrators stop treating students disrespectfully and continue to have low expectations, the outcomes won't change. Until inner city kids have the same support and encouragement as their suburban counterparts do, they will never have the same chances to be successful in life. So, let's get off this "us" and "them" and see it for what it really is. Our education system continues to fail our inner city youth because inner city kids are already unfairly perceived as "unlikely to succeed" and are treated as such. I guarantee that when ALL our kids receive EQUAL education we will see a steady decline in criminal activity.
H -BLOCK BLLLLLLAAT FREE CEASE BLOCK GANG R.I.P MAL 2 FOR 1
My Word,
People it is fair to say that there are many mechanisms that contribute to the demise,mischief, and murderous acts. It is definitely uncontrolled anger, vengance, and the inability to cope and resolve conflict and value life. But, these acts severely wound all families friends and foes. It sends a rip tide of uncertainty thoroughout the community. Those that live in ivory towers relish the fact. Young brothers should take a stand to be a positive role model and change there mind set and heart for the young. some parents need to be diligent and accountable for there families and get the support/medication they may possibly need to be better examples themselves. nothing justifies murder or any cruel act, wrong is wrong there are consequences but everyone has a choice. be considerate of others in your wrong doings. We should never accept victory in anyones loss. My prayers go out to all the families who are mourning. I pray for peace throughout the universe and love for all sons who are disconnected from the spirit and wisdom of Godly love. I pray for mercy & protection for the innocent from the Heavens above.
Mom,
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
INside Boston.com
LOCAL BLOGS
Universal Hub
The Chinatown Blog
CommonWealth Magazine
Red Mass Group
Blue Mass Group
Boston 1775
The Berkeley Beacon
The Daily Collegian
The Daily Free Press
The Harvard Crimson
The Heights
The Huntington News
The Suffolk Journal
The Tech
The Tufts Daily