Hayden laments “plague of guns and bullets” after multiple weekend firearm incidents

BOSTON, May 10, 2023 – Citing eight new firearm arraignments on Monday, and the investigations of two fatal and non-fatal shootings over the weekend, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden bemoaned the prevalence of gun violence locally and nationally.

“Our office is moving forward with internal initiatives, we’re partnering with police and other agencies whenever possible, and we’re dedicating more resources to community engagement.  But we can always do more, and we’re willing to explore all ideas from all reaches of society to address this plague of guns and bullets,” Hayden said.

Hayden’s office recently sent out applications for its Community Reinvestment Program, which provides grants from asset forfeiture funds to local nonprofits that provide services to at-risk adults and youths across the county. Hayden’s office also has in place a firearm rapid indictment program and a firearm tracing partnership program, Boston FIRST, with local and federal authorities.

But Hayden pointed to last weekend’s gun violence and arrests, along with the number of mass shootings across the nation in 2023—12 just from the past weekend, including at a shopping mall in Allen, Texas—in his call for more action, locally and nationally.

“I’m proud of what we’ve done, but as the weekend activity makes clear, we need to do more, and that means efforts from every segment of society, across the public and private sectors.  Nationally, there’s not much to be proud of.  Our patchwork approach to rational gun purchasing measures is as insufficient as it is ineffective,” Hayden said.

On Saturday, Boston police responded to a call for a person shot in the area of 66 Wildwood Street in Mattapan. Officers located two adult males suffering from gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to local hospitals where one victim was pronounced dead. The second victim’s injuries were considered non-life-threatening. Another adult male was dropped off at a local hospital with gunshot wounds and was later pronounced dead. Further investigation shows the victim was shot on Centre Street in Dorchester. Police responded to another shooting on Kingston Street, where a fourth victim was shot and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Over the weekend at least eight other individuals were arrested on firearm-related charges.

LASANA HARPER, 29, of Newton was arraigned on Monday in the Dorchester Division of BMC on two counts of carrying a firearm without a license, two counts of possession of a large capacity firearm, and two counts of carrying a loaded firearm without a license (second offense). Judge Jonathan Tynes ordered Harper held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on May 15.

SHAWNDEL A. BLACKWELL, 21, of Mattapan was arraigned on Monday in the Dorchester Division of BMC for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, uninsured motor vehicle, possession of ammunition without an FID card, possession of a large capacity feeding device, and firearm violation with one prior violent crime or drug offense (armed career criminal). Blackwell is due back in court July 19 for a probable cause hearing.

DIAMANI MONTEIRO WILLIAMS, 22, of Randolph was arraigned on Monday in the Dorchester Division of BMC on charges of carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, possession of a large capacity firearm, possession of a large capacity feeding device, defacing a firearm, and possession of class E and B substances. Judge Jonathan Tynes ordered Monteiro Williams held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on May 10.

RASHID PARHAM, 24, of Hyde Park was arraigned on Monday on charges of carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license (second offense), possession of ammunition without an FID card, carrying a firearm without a license (third offense), firearm violation with three prior violent crime or drug offenses (armed career criminal), and fail to submit to a public employee. Judge Jonathan Tynes ordered Parham held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on May 17 in the Dorchester Division of BMC.

CHARKEEM HYATT, 33, and LEANDRA HALL, 33, both of Boston, were arraigned in the South Boston Division of BMC on Monday. Hyatt is charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license (second offense), carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license (second offense), possession of ammunition without an FID card (subsequent offense), defacing a firearm, and habitual criminal penalty enhancement. Hall is charged with defacing a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and carrying a loaded firearm without a license. Judge Michael Bolden set $2,500 bail and ordered Hall to return to court on 14. Hyatt is held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on May 15.

JAHMAL STEPHEN, 30, and TRAVIS WINDLEY, 35, both of Boston were arraigned in the Dorchester Division of BMC on Monday and charged with carrying a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, possession of a large capacity firearm, and carrying a loaded firearm without a license. Windley also faces charges of vandalizing property and firearm violation with three prior violent crimes or drug offenses (armed career criminal). Judge Jonathan Tynes held both Stephen and Windley without bail pending dangerousness hearings May 10.

All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications