‘Kind, loving, vibrant soul’: Family, police identify victim in deadly Charlestown shooting

BOSTON — Police have identified 46-year-old Joseph Donahue as the man who was shot and killed Saturday night in Charlestown.

Police responded to the area of 140 Main St. around 10:30 pm for a report of a pedestrian struck.

They found Donahue lying in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven. They determined he had been shot. EMTs pronounced him dead on the scene.

Shannon Lundin said she grew up with Donahue in Charlestown, and have remained lifelong friends.

“He was a kind, loving, vibrant soul,” Lundin told Boston 25 over the phone Sunday. “No matter how much he struggled, he always tried. He was a very, very loyal person and he believed in sticking up for those that he loved, and sticking up for things he believed in.”

Lundin, a spokesperson for the family, organized a GoFundMe to pay for Donahue’s funeral.

She says the community is still looking for answers.

She added, “[Donahue] was down by the store. Some sort of altercation happened. I don’t know if he knew the person or not. The one constant thing I’m hearing is that everything was caught on security cameras and the police know who they’re looking for.”

Police on Monday morning announced an arrest in connection with the shooting.

Lundin continued, “When it comes to whoever did this, I really have no words to be honest.”

The Boston Police Department’s Homicide Unit is investigating the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470.

Community members wishing to assist in this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word “TIP” to CRIME (27463).

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW

©2025 Cox Media Group