Gunshots dramatically cut short families' July Fourth fun Thusday night at a playground in Dorchester, leaving a young girl and a man wounded in a double shooting police are still investigating.
The shooting at Mary Hannon Playground resulted in injuries to an 8-year-old girl and a 35-year-old man just before 11 p.m.
"It was great. Everyone was just having a good time. There's tons of families," said Wendy Pomales, who lives in the Boston neighborhood. "People were running and someone was shot."
She and her son had just arrived to the park when "bullets started flying," she recalled.
The child was shot in the foot and her injury was said to be non-life threatening, according to Boston Police Chief William
Gross. The man was taken to an area hospital and is said to be in critical condition.
"As far as we can tell, everybody was in the Mary Hannon Park enjoying the Fourth of July, as they should be at the time of the incident," Gross said.
No names have been released and it's unclear if the victims are related.
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The violence is unacceptable, said Nezzie Taylor, of Dorchester, who was also there.
"It hurts me that a child can't come out and play. It's totally ridiculous. No one should have to live like this," said Taylor.
While police continue to investigate what led up to the shooting, Gross echoed the sentiment that the violence will not be tolerated.
"We can't tire enough by saying that unacceptable again. We're going to have to pull together and make sure things like this don’t happen in our neighborhoods," said Gross.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said he is fed up with the violence and is promising extra police patrols in the area.
"These are drive-by's and they're cowards. They shot an 8-year-old little girl. I hope they feel really good about themselves today," said Walsh.
No arrests have been made.
