Boston

‘A Wonderful, Stand-Up Guy': Community Shaken After Man Killed in Roxbury Shooting

The investigation has closed the area at the intersection of Wyoming and Wabeno streets

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Boston police are investigating a deadly shooting in the city's Roxbury neighborhood Wednesday.

The victim, identified only as a man in his mid-50s, was found suffering gunshot wounds after police were called to a shooting near the intersection of Wyoming and Wabeno streets around 11:40 a.m.

Nestor Hernandez lives near the intersection where it happened and said he heard the shots.

"Three times. Bam, bam, bam. 3 shots. And then I see two guys coming from that building," Hernandez said.

He said those two saw the victim and called 911.

Police said they have surveillance video of the suspect running away.

Janet Uzoma knew the victim and says he was a mechanic who helped a lot of people.

“I don’t know if it was a professional but he was a mechanic and he helped people in the neighborhood fixing their cars. He was a wonderful, stand-up guy," Uzoma said.

Hernandez says people who live here are afraid.

“In 14 years living here I never see anything like this before. Things going worse day by day. Everybody have to stay home because people are afraid to go out because you never know what’s going on," Hernandez said.

The nearby Trotter School was put in a "Safe Mode" lockdown for about 10 minutes during the initial response, but that lockdown has since been lifted.

“It’s sad and disheartening to arrive on scene and look across the street at a school and see a bunch of kids in safe mode peering out the window wondering what’s going on," Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.

Police are asking for the public's help in this investigation. Anyone with information is urged to call the Boston Police Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470 or the tip line at 1-800-494-TIPS.

There has been an uptick in violent crime in the city, concerning those who live and work there. There have been recent violent attacks in Downtown Crossing, Chinatown, Roxbury, and other neighborhoods. Many have involved guns.

Overall, some violent crimes in the city like homicides and robberies are slightly down from last year, but other forms of violence are on the rise. Aggravated assaults have jumped by 13%, burglaries at businesses are up 66% and car thefts have risen by 35%.

Three minors accused of assaulting a woman in Downtown Crossing have now been arrested after a separate attack at a McDonald's in Roxbury.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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