15-year-old among two people shot near Caribbean Carnival festival in Worcester

WORCESTER, Mass — Two people were shot, including a 15-year-old teen, near the Carribean Festival in Worcester Sunday afternoon, police say.

Two male victims, a 15 and 23-year-old, suffered non-life-threatening injuries after being shot near Salisbury Street and Boynton Avenue and were transported to a nearby hospital, Worcester police say.

The shooting occurred while the 10th annual Worcester Caribbean American Carnival was taking place at nearby Insitute Park.

The incident caused the party to come to a halt.

Festivalgoers could see live performances until 6:30 p.m. and shop from vendors until 7:00 p.m. A parade was scheduled to take place in front of Worcester City Hall at 1:30 p.m.

“Out of nowhere we just heard several gunshots, it sounded like it was two different kinds of guns and basically somebody came out limping and it was just a lot of people running and a child also came running to the park who was shot I believe in the neck and that other victim was shot in the leg,” said Rene Santiago, a vendor at the Caribbean Carnival.

No arrests have been made but an investigation is active and ongoing, Worcester police say.

Jennifer Julien Gaskin, the President of the Worcester Caribbean American Carnival Association put out a statement reading:

“We are heartbroken that this violence happened in close proximity to our event. We do this event for the community and have done so successfully for ten years without incident. our hearts and prayers are with the two people who sustained injuries.”

Although Boston officials say the shooting was unrelated to the festivities, eight people were shot in Dorchester on the outskirts of the parade route for the Carribean Carnival in Dorchester Saturday morning.

Six adult males and two adult females were shot, according to Boston Police. Five of the men and one of the women were taken to nearby hospitals. Two victims suffered graze wounds and declined treatment. All of the injuries were considered non-life threatening.

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

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