DEATH INVESTIGATION AT HARVARD STREET
Homicide Victim Identified
At approximately 6:35pm on Thursday October 30, 2008, officers responded to a radio call for a person shot at 222 Norwell Street in Dorchester. Upon arrival, officers observed a 35 year old black male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. At approximately 6:32 pm that same evening, officers responded to the corner of Harvard Street and Warner Street for a report of a person shot. On arrival, officers located a 38 year old black male suffering from multiple gun shot wounds. Both victims were rushed to Boston Medical Center for treatment. The 35 year old victim is currently in critical condition. The 38 year old victim was pronounced as a result of his injuries. He has been identified as William Branch, 38, of Dorchester.
Homicide detectives are actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Preliminary information suggests that the two victims were together when the shooting incident occurred. It is believed that one of the victims engaged in a prior altercation with a group of individuals. There was a second confrontation, which led to the shooting incident.
Homicide investigators are seeking additional information and are asking community members with knowledge of this incident to please come forward. Anyone with information is strongly encouraged to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at (617) 343-4470.
Community members who wish to assist the investigation in an anonymous manner can either call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1(800) 494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463).
The Boston Police Department will stringently protect the identity of those who wish to remain anonymous.
This marks the 51st homicide of the year. Last year at this time, there had been 60 homicides.
DEATH INVESTIGATION AT 73 SEAPORT BOULEVARD
At about 5:35pm, on Thursday, October 30, 2008, officers from Area C-6 (South Boston) responded to a radio call for a pedestrian struck in the area of 73 Seaport Blvd. On arrival, officers located a 35 year-old female lying on the ground unconscious. According to witnesses, the victim was struck by a shuttle bus or a min-bus. Passengers on the bus say the victim fell into the side of the bus. Witnesses further state that they saw the victim lose her balance and fall backwards from the sidewalk into the side of the passing bus. The victim was immediately transported to Mass General Hospital where she was later pronounced. At this point, the preliminary investigation indicates that the incident was accidental. No charges are pending at this time.
Homicide Victim Identified
UPDATE: DEATH INVESTIGATION AT 110 GREENBRIER STREET
Homicide Victim Identified
At approximately 10:12am on Thursday October 30, 2008, officers responded to a radio call for a person shot at 110 Greenbrier Street in Dorchester. Upon arrival, officers observed a 24 year old black male suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was rushed to Boston Medical Center for treatment. Shortly after, the victim was pronounced as a result of his injuries. The victim has been identified as Komawalee Morris, 24, of Dorchester.
Homicide detectives are actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Preliminary information suggests that two black males wearing black hooded sweatshirts and masks approached the residence, forced entry and shot the victim. The suspects are believed to have fled on foot. Detectives do not believe that this incident is random. At this time, the incident is believed to be a targeted home invasion.
Homicide investigators are seeking additional information and are asking community members with knowledge of this incident to please come forward. Anyone with information is strongly encouraged to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at (617) 343-4470.
Community members who wish to assist the investigation in an anonymous manner can either call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1(800) 494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463).
The Boston Police Department will stringently protect the identity of those who wish to remain anonymous.
UPDATE TO ARMED ROBBERY AT 56 GAINSBOROUGH STREET
Police Arrest Suspect Wanted In Connection With Armed Robbery
On Monday, October 27, 2008, officers from Area D-4 (South End) responded to a radio call for an armed robbery at 56 Gainsborough Street (Kangs Corner Store). On arrival, officers spoke to the victim who stated that he was on the 2nd floor of his store when he heard and was startled by a loud bang. When the victim went down to the 1st floor (store level) to investigate the noise, he observed a black male (suspect #1) wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt (approximately 25 yrs old) holding a black firearm. According to the victim, the suspect was in the company of suspect #2, a black male (approximately 25 yrs old) armed with a firearm, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. Suspect #1 struck the victim on the back of his head with the firearm, then he struck another victim on the bridge of the nose with the firearm and demanded the whereabouts of the bank deposit bag by stating, “Where’s the bag???” The victim told the suspect that the bag was upstairs. Suspect #1 went upstairs and retrieved the deposit bag which contained several thousand dollars. While suspect #1 was on the second floor, suspect #2 hopped over the counter and stole approximately $250.00 from the cash register. The victims were ordered to lie on the floor. The suspects fled on foot in an unknown direction.
At about 6:15am, this morning, Thursday, October 30, 2008, officers from the Fugitive and Apprehension Unit responded to 11 Hamilton Street in Hyde Park. On arrival, officers, armed with an arrest warrant for one Trent Cox, 20, of Dorchester, located the aforementioned suspect and arrested him in connection with the above incident. Cox was taken into custody and charged with Armed Robbery, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Assault & Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon.
** A special thanks to media for assisting in the distribution of the surveillance video, which led to the identification of the above suspect.
HAZMAT INCIDENTS
BOSTON POLICE RESPOND TO MULTIPLE HAZMAT INCIDENTS
Today, on Thursday, October 30, 2008, the Boston Police Department responded to multiple incidents involving a suspicious white substance arriving at several locations via the mail throughout the city. The Hazmat Team responded to the following locations:
• At 12:52pm, The Boston Herald, 300 Harrison Avenue
• At 3:15pm, The Christian Science Building, 210 Mass Ave.
At this time, both of the above incidents remain under investigation. However, Boston Police Detectives and members of the Boston Police Hazmat Team have determined the following information.
The Boston Police Department has learned of the reports from around the country concerning the receipt of letters containing a compact disc and a suspicious looking white powder. According to these reports, letters were sent to and received by media outlets, political offices and a few businesses (including McDonalds and Starbucks) nationwide.
On Thursday, October 30, 2008, the Boston Herald located at 300 Harrison Avenue received one of these letters. Upon receipt of the letter, the building was evacuated. The suspicious looking white powder was analyzed and evaluated by the Boston Police Hazmat Team and determined the substance/powder to be harm free. Specifically, the powder was determined to be sugar.
Meantime, in California, the FBI has already taken into custody an individual believed to be responsible for sending the letters. The motive is not known at this time.
According to various media reports, the suspect in this case sent more than 120 envelopes containing a CD and packet of sugar labeled, ‘Anthrax Sample’. Additionally, a biohazard symbol appeared on the packet of sugar. None of the packets, to this point, have tested positive for hazardous material. 100 letters were sent to national newspapers, 20 to Congressional members, and 10 to businesses in Sacramento including McDonalds and Starbucks. One of the first letters was received by The Atlantic magazine on Monday.
Attached are photos of the envelope sent to the Boston Herald:
DEATH INVESTIGATION
DEATH INVESTIGATION AT 110 GREENBRIER STREET
Homicide Detectives Seeking Community Assistance
At approximately 10:12am on Thursday October 30, 2008, officers responded to a radio call for a person shot at 110 Greenbrier Street in Dorchester. Upon arrival, officers observed a 24 year old black male suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was rushed to Boston Medical Center for treatment. Shortly after, the victim was pronounced as a result of his injuries.
Homicide detectives are actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Preliminary information suggests that two black males wearing black hooded sweatshirts and masks approached the residence, forced entry and shot the victim. The suspects are believed to have fled on foot.
Homicide investigators are seeking additional information and are asking community members with knowledge of this incident to please come forward. Anyone with information is strongly encouraged to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at (617) 343-4470.
Community members who wish to assist the investigation in an anonymous manner can either call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1(800) 494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463).
The Boston Police Department will stringently protect the identity of those who wish to remain anonymous.
This death marks the 50th homicide of 2008. Last year at this time there were 59 homicides.
VOTE NO ON QUESTION 2
Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis and District Attorney Daniel Conley
Urge ‘No’ on Question 2
Today Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis and Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley join together to encourage residents to vote ‘No’ on Question 2. The Boston Police Department and the Suffolk Count District Attorney’s Office strongly oppose the decriminalization of possession for one ounce or less of marijuana.
The reality is the decriminalization of possession for one ounce or less of marijuana would empower drug dealing and endanger our community. Question 2 represents a step backward for poor, minority and urban communities. The fact is if drug possession is treated like a traffic violation, there will be an increase in marijuana use and sales in our community, predominantly neighborhoods that are already struggling with drugs and crime.
The myth is that one ounce or less is an insignificant amount of marijuana. An ounce of marijuana can sell on the street for anywhere from $300 to $600. An ounce is a lot of marijuana and can total 50 to 60 individual joints. That amount can easily be used for distribution and is not considered insignificant to law enforcement.
Police Commissioner Davis stated, “Drug use, drug abuse, and drug sales are synonymous with other types of criminal activity. Where you find drug dealers, you also find guns and violence. Question Two gives those dealers a loophole to enterprise while punishing the neighborhoods where they’re going to do business.”
District Attorney Conley said, “An ounce of marijuana represents up to 60 individual sales. At 10 dollars apiece, those retail-ready packages are affordable to any teenager with an allowance. Question 2 amounts to a business plan for drug dealers who see our kids as a growth market.”
Across the state, a wide range of educators, politicians and other community leaders have joined together in opposition to Question 2, including Governor Deval Patrick, Attorney General Martha Coakley, U.S. Senator John Kerry, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, MADD, SADD, Boston TenPoint Coalition, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents and many others. Major newspapers throughout the Commonwealth, including the Boston Globe, Boston Herald and Worcester Telegram also oppose the measure.
If passed, Question 2 would make possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana – with a street value of $600 – a civil violation punishable with a small fine, providing drug dealers a ready-made business plan for the retailing of drugs without the threat of criminal prosecution. An initiative The Economist magazine called the most radical marijuana ballot proposal in the nation, Question 2 does nothing more than protect criminals at the expense and safety of law-abiding citizens.
Below are photos that include one ounce of marijuana and also firearms recovered as a result of recent marijuana busts.
INFORMATION SESSION
Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis and District Attorney Dan Conley
Urge ‘No’ on Question 2
WHO: Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis; Suffolk County District Attorney Dan Conley; Boston Police detectives from the Drug Control Unit
WHAT: Police Commissioner Davis joined by District Attorney Dan Conley would like to take this opportunity to urge residents to vote ‘No’ on Question 2. Commissioner Davis strongly opposes the decriminalization of possession for one ounce or less of marijuana. Commissioner Davis along with members of the Boston Police Drug Control Unit will voice the dangers decriminalization would pose to our community.
WHERE: Boston Police Headquarters
Media Room
WHEN: Thursday October 30, 2008 at 2:00pm
From the family of Marie Conley
Words cannot express the depths of our sorrow at the loss of our mother, daughter, sister, grandmother and friend. She will always be remembered for the joy and happiness that she brought to her children, grandchildren and the members of the Finn and Conley families. We are grateful for the outpouring of sympathy and support we have received through this very difficult time. As we come together as a family to remember Marie, we ask that our privacy be respected. We would also like to state that our prayers go out to Mr. Cazeau and his family who are also dealing with this tragedy.
Update
SCHOOL TRAFFIC SUPERVISOR PASSES AWAY FROM INJURIES SUSTAINED DURING MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT
DETECTIVES TO SEEK ADDITIONAL COMPLAINT AGAINST DRIVER
The Boston Police Department is very saddened to report that today School Traffic Supervisor Marie Conley has passed away as a result of injuries sustained when struck by a motor vehicle on October 21st. Marie Conley is 59 years old and from Dorchester. She worked as a Boston Police Traffic Supervisor for eight years.
On October 21, 2008 at about 8:48am, officers responded to a radio call for a motor vehicle accident and pedestrian struck at the intersection of Winter St and Parish St, in Dorchester. On arrival officers observed EMS on scene treating the victim, a Boston Police Traffic Supervisor. The ambulance rushed the victim to Boston Medical Center for further treatment.
Boston Police detectives, in conjunction with the Accident Reconstruction Team, conducted an investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Information received from witnesses at the scene indicated that the victim was performing her duties and in full uniform with reflective vest. Witnesses stated the victim had signaled for all vehicular traffic to stop while she was about to cross a student. As the victim entered the middle of the crosswalk and stood in the middle of the intersection, she was struck by a motor vehicle.
The operator of the motor vehicle had been cited with Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Failure to Yield to a Pedestrian and was pending an appearance before the clerk magistrate at Dorchester District Court.
As a result of this tragic development, detectives in conjunction with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office are now seeking a complaint against the driver for Motor Vehicle Homicide by Negligent Operation.
Police Commissioner Ed Davis stated, “The Boston Police Department is deeply saddened by the news of Ms. Conley’s passing. On behalf of the department, I would like to extend our most heartfelt condolences to Ms. Conley’s family and friends during this difficult time. Ms. Conley will be remembered for her selfless dedication and devotion to protecting our city’s youth.”