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Boston police call Dorchester shooting gang-related

E-mail|Link|Comments () November 18, 2009 02:35 PM

By Globe Staff

Boston police will increase patrols and are asking for the public’s help in stemming a wave of gang violence in Dorchester that has spilled over into a Boston elementary school that serves as a community center after-hours.

Police said in a statement that the shooting of a 22-year-old man inside the John Marshall school on Westville Street shortly before 7 p.m. Tuesday was gang-related. The man was inside the school playing basketball when shot. He then ran outside where he was found on Corona Street. Police said the man, whose name they did not release, sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

“The preliminary investigation has determined that this was not a random incident and the victim is believed to have been the target,’’ police said in a statement released this afternoon. “The victim is well-known to law enforcement and has been uncooperative with the investigation.’’

Police Commissioner Edward Davis said in the statement that "the brazenness of this incident is alarming and unacceptable. As a community, we must have no tolerance for this.’’

On Nov. 3, a 23-year-old man was killed after he was shot 100 yards from the school, sparking a meeting of residents and police.

Over the next several days, police will coordinate a multi-pronged response as more officers are sent to patrol the area, police presence in and around the school is boosted, and "impact players" will be targeted for prosecution. Police will be joined by staff from the Boston Public Health Commission, the Boston Centers for Youth and Families and from the city’s streetworker program.

Police asked anyone with information to contact Area C-11 District detectives at (617) 343-4335. People can also call the anonymous CrimeStoppers tipline at 1-800-494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463).