Man, woman are fatally shot in Allston
2d male wounded; city's first homicides of 2006 stun neighborhood
Two people were fatally shot last night in Allston, in the first homicides of the new year, which left residents in the student-dominated neighborhood concerned that the city's wave of violence had come to their normally placid community.
A third person also was shot and taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center with injuries that were not life-threatening, police said.
Boston police last night were seeking two male suspects.
The double slaying follows last month's quadruple homicide in Dorchester that shocked many residents and prompted officials to promise crackdowns on street violence.
Yesterday's shootings took place in a second-floor apartment at 244 Kelton St. in Allston, a neighborhood filled with red-brick apartments populated mostly by graduate students and young professionals.
Police received a 911 call to the building about 9:30 p.m. Police said a Haitian family lived in the apartment.
The victims, described only as a black male and white female, were in their 20s, said police. One was shot in the head, the other in the back, said Boston Police Citywide Night Commander Bobby Johnson.
There were no signs of forced entry into the building, he said.
A 71-year-old female also was present in the apartment during the shooting, said police. She was not hurt, but police were unable to glean information from her because she did not speak English. Late last night, they were seeking a translator to help interview her. Police said it was unclear if the shooters knew the elderly woman was in the apartment or if she witnessed the shootings.
The third shooting victim, another black male, was transported to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the arm.
The bloodshed stunned neighbors, who said violence was rare in their community.
With police sirens flashing on her street, Rebecca Reger, 26, a teacher, packed her bags last night to stay with friends.
''I'm scared. I don't know who it is, and the police don't seem to know a whole lot right now," she said.
Sean Doyle, 30, said he frequently noticed people going in and out of the apartment where the shootings occurred.
''It freaks me out a little bit," he said. ''You never want a shooting on your street, I guess. We have crime, but it's usually your car break-ins."
Last night, police cars and television crews filled the streets near the apartment, as residents stood on the sidewalk, craning their necks for a glimpse into the building. Groups of police officers walked in and out, while a cluster of police officials held discussions in the building's lobby.
Resident Matthew Meegan, 32, was stunned when he heard the commotion. ''I'm very surprised. It's a quiet neighborhood," he said.
In 2005, Boston had 75 homicides, the highest tally in a decade. Moreover, the number of homicide investigations that produced suspects also was at a historic low, with Boston faring poorly in comparison with other major cities.
But even with these grim statistics making news, Allston residents were incredulous last night that deadly gunplay had come to their part of the city. ''There's never any trouble down here like this," said Mike Lessard, 25. ''It's a quiet community."
Globe correspondents Sean M. Greene and Hailey B. Heinz contributed to this report. 