Mattapan man arrested on firearms charges after 12-year-old boy shot and killed
MATTAPAN - A 12-year-old boy has died after he was shot Thursday afternoon in Mattapan. A 22-year-old man has been arrested and faces several firearms charges.
The shooting happened shortly after 2 p.m. at a home on Fessenden Street. I-Team sources told WBZ-TV the boy was shot in the torso. He was taken to Boston Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
"For a child of this age, being lost to gun violence is a nightmare," said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
Police arrested 22-year-old Walter Hendrick of Mattapan after the shooting. Hendrick is charged with improper storage of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition.
The victim has not been identified. Police said they do not believe there is any threat to the public, but did not say what led up to the shooting.
This is the second deadly shooting of a child in Mattapan this year. In January, 13-year-old Tyler Lawrence of Norwood was shot and killed while visiting his grandmother.
"Our children should be able to go outside and play and enjoy themselves. I remember growing up, in the summertime, we would stay outside until the streetlights came on and not have to worry about this," said Desiree, who lives in the neighborhood. "We really need to start holding our people accountable, we need to do better as a community, because it's not OK. This is not acceptable and I am truly sorry for what has happened. And I just think we all need to do better, as people."
Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox says guns in the community can pose a danger
"We're doing all we can to combat gun violence, but I implore folks if you have guns in your home particularly illegal or whatever, turn them in to us," Cox said.
