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Boston records first murder of 2010 just hours into the new year

E-mail|Link|Comments () January 1, 2010 02:38 PM

By Meghan Irons, Globe Staff

After sending off 2009 with the lowest number of homicides and shootings in six years, Boston welcomed 2010 with a string of violence that left one man dead and another with multiple stab wounds.

In the wee hours after Bostonians popped champagne and fireworks exploded, at least three people were caught in violent confrontations. The most serious of the encounters occurred at about 2:15 a.m. in Dorchester. Police responding to a report of a shooting found a man dead at 315 Geneva Ave.

Police were not releasing the details about shooting or the victim, but said he is a 25-year-old Hispanic man who is a Boston resident. He was transported to Carney Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The Boston Police Homicide Unit conducted several interviews, but no arrest has been made. Police are asking any community member with information about the suspect’s identity or whereabouts to come forward.

Police are also investigating a stabbing in Brighton in which a young man was seriously wounded. Police arrived at 22 Commonwealth Terrace at 1:58 a.m. and found the victim, described as white and in his 20s, suffering from multiple stab wounds to his abdomen, said Officer Joe Zanolli, police spokesman.

The victim, whose name was not released, was transported to Brigham and Women’s Hospital with life-threatening injuries, Zanoli said. "He underwent surgery through the night and is expected to survive," Zanoli added.

Police said the victim told officers that he was leaving a party and was confronted by a man exiting another party nearby. As the altercation escalated, the victim was stabbed several times and the suspect fled. He is described as an Asian male in his 20s and about 5-foot-3. No arrests have been made, Zanoli said.

A short while later, a fight broke out near the Park Plaza Hotel, leaving a military veteran from Quincy with injuries. Todd Gallagher said he was attacked as he and his girlfriend decided to end the night and head home.

Gallagher, who said he suffered a brain injury while stationed in Africa two years ago, told the Globe that he doesn’t recall much about what happened after he and his girlfriend left MJ O’Connors at the hotel. Police said they arrived at the scene about 2:30 a.m. and found a man lying in the street, conscious and beaten. He told them of his brain injury and said he had been walking with his girlfriend when three men confronted them.

They began making comments about his girlfriend, a fight ensued, and "all there punched and kicked him in the head," Zanoli said.

Gallagher, who said he also served in Iraq, was taken to New England Medical Center, treated and released. Police are looking for the three men accused in the fight.

Boston saw 49 killings in 2009 and 192 nonfatal shootings as of Tuesday, police figures show. The number of homicides was the lowest since 2003, when the city had 39 killings.