A 16-year-old was fatally shot early Sunday morning at a Northboro house party, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.
Police were notified of a firearm at the party, attended by several hundred people at a multi-acre property on 333 Howard Street around 1 a.m. Sunday morning. When police prepared to enter the “chaotic” scene with other responding departments, they heard several gunshots, Early said.
Police entered the home and found the 16-year-old boy, a Bellingham resident, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to UMass Memorial Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased, police said. A 17-year-old who was also shot was transported to Marlboro Hospital for his injuries and was later released, police said.
“First and foremost, our thoughts go out to the victim and the victim’s family during this senseless act of violence,” Northboro Police Chief Brian Griffin said. “Especially difficult being Mother’s Day.”
WATCH LIVE: Authorities providing update on police investigation on Howard Street in Northboro https://t.co/XqItQG9kEM
— Boston 25 News (@boston25) May 12, 2024
A pair of other people were treated at the Marlboro Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and others who were treated for injuries at the scene did not seek further medical attention, according to police.
Griffin lauded the other responding departments and organizations that aided Northboro police in handling the situation and treating injuries on the scene.
“I want to commend all the first responding police officers and firefighters who responded to this scene,” Griffin said. “This was a very chaotic scene with well over 200-plus people at this party.”
Three people, whose identities were not immediately released by officials, were arrested on firearm-related charges and will be arraigned in Westboro District Court on Monday, police said. The victim and those arrested, ranging from their late teens to mid-20s, are not Northboro residents, according to police.
Early said the investigation remains ongoing and encouraged those with any information or recordings of any incidents to reach out to the Northboro Police Department.
“Everyone’s got a cellphone, anyone that has taken video while all this was going on, please send it to the Northboro Police Department,” he said. “We can use anything you got. Like the chief said, it’s Mother’s Day and a mother has lost a 16-year-old.”
The state police and the Northboro police detectives will be working around the clock on the active investigation, Griffin said.
Early said officials had been in contact with the homeowner over the previous few days in regards to whether or not the party would take place.
Griffin said police received reports last month of a large gathering at the residence after the fact. The homeowner, according to Griffin, assured officials that it would not happen again.
“Obviously, that was not the case,” he said.
Griffin said the homeowner was present during the party, though officials did not further comment on any potential social host liability.
