Two teenagers have been charged with the murder of a 16-year-old boy who was gunned down Wedneday while riding his bike in Dorchester.
Jonathan Dos Santos was shot on Fuller Street. He succumbed to his injuries at Boston Medical Center.
A 14-year-old, whose name is being withheld, and 16-year-old Dorchester resident Dushawn Taylor-Gennis were arrested Saturday morning. The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office confirms both will be charged as adults.
Boston Police Commissioner William Evans says the suspects and victim knew each other.
"They pretty much all live together," said Evans. "That's the tragedy of this. Instead of out there playing ball ... we're talking about two kids going to jail and one kid dead."
Mayor Marty Walsh, who had previously said that the murder had a big impact on him, reasserted that some change is needed in the city.
"I think we have to do some more deep work in our neighborhoods," he said. "We have to work to dismatle some of these gangs."
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"I don't think these kids - young kids - understand the value of life," said Evans. "You only get one shot at life. Life's unfortunately too cheap."
Evans said it is not yet known if the teens were involved in gangs. Their mothers turned them in to police, for which the commissioner praised them.
"I have to commend them. They were made aware of their sons, and they worked with our homicide detectives to bring their kids to us so they could be taken into custody."
The commissioner also confirmed that both would be charged with murder and unlawful carrying of a firearm. They are expected to be arraigned Monday.
Friends and family members describe Dos Santos, known to many as "Jo Jo," as a great kid who did not want to be involved in any kinds of trouble.
"I know a lot of times, when things happen, people say, 'Oh this kid, he was a good kid,'" said Paris Cherry, Dos Santos' coach on the Boston Tigers basketball team. "But he honestly was a good kid - the last kid you would think something like this would happen to."
Cherry said that before the murder, Dos Santos had been afraid.
The family later released a statement which read in part:
"Johnathan will be deeply missed and forever loved. We are praying for our community and also the suspects families and hope we can collaborate together to put a stop the violence crimes that continues to rattle our community every day."
A wake will be held for Dos Santos on Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m. at St. Peter's Church on Bowdoin Street in Dorchester. The funeral service will begin Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Peter's.
Riley Funeral Home and Giselle's Flowers will be handling the arrangements.
Anyone wishing to donate to the Jonathan Dos Santos Memorial Fund can send checks, made out to Dorchester Eagles Pop Warner, to this address:
East Boston Savings Bank
Attn: Rita Grimes
489 Gallivan Blvd.
Dorchester, MA 02124
