Double shooting shuts down Worcester Caribbean American Carnival

WORCESTER — Police shut down the Worcester Caribbean American Carnival early on Sunday after two innocent bystanders were shot near Institute Park.

Around 6 p.m., gunfire was exchanged between two men on Boynton Street, at the intersection on Salisbury Street, police said.

The shots caused a chaotic scene in and around the carnival with people running for cover, according to police.

Officers assigned to cover the carnival located two shooting victims, ages 15 and 23. They were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Both shooting victims appear to have not been involved in the dispute and were not intentionally targeted, according to police.

Shortly before 6:30 p.m., just outside Institute Park, where the festival was taking place, a black and white Nike sneaker stained in blood could be seen on the side of the street, and a puddle of blood was surrounded by yellow police tape next to crosswalk at the corner of Salisbury and Boynton streets.

A section of Boynton Street in between the cultural center at the Armenian Church of Our Saviour and the Boynton Lot of Worcester Polytechnic Institute was roped off with more police tape. 

More:Worcesteria: In shooting's aftermath, support for Caribbean festivities, organizers

Jennifer Gaskin, founder and president of Worcester Caribbean American Carnival Association, made the announcement that the carnival was coming to an abrupt end, and the park had to be closed and partygoers had to vacate the field. 

“Per the Worcester Police Department, the park is closed and everyone needs to exit the park,” Gaskin said. “Vendors I need you to stop selling. … And I need everybody to exit the park please. The park is closed.” 

A dozen police officers combed through the park to clear it. Many of the revelers ended up on Salisbury Street, near the crime scene. 

Gaskin said she was heartbroken by the news that two people had been shot and that she had to pull the plug on the event, which had been scheduled to go until 7 p.m.

“I’m just so hurt, discouraged. We do this event every year for the community. And this is for our community,” Gaskin said. “We’re all out here to celebrate and have a good time and connect and build community. So for somebody to do that it’s disheartening.” 

Gaskin was noticeably upset that one of the shooting victims was a teenager.

“For somebody to come in and do something like this and to children, I'm just heartbroken,” she said. “It’s just disheartening. Somebody’s child getting hurt.”  

Gaskin said she was told there was an “altercation” that started on Boynton Street. Then, someone ran from the altercation and then “shots rang out.” 

“Police told me it was on the other side of the street,” Gaskin said. “It wasn’t over here (on the grounds of Institute Park) as part of the event. … I don’t’ know even know if they were here, because everything I’m hearing is that it happened across the street.” 

“I really encourage the community to come together around this family, around these two children that were injured and support them through that,” Gaskin said. “The event is the event. We’re not really worried about that.” 

Gaskin said it’s time for the city to admit that it has a problem with young people and guns, and for something to be done about it. 

“We need to start admitting that there is something here,” she said. “We have young people with guns and a problem. We need to meet them where they are and address it.” 

The Worcester shooting happened a day after eight people were injured in a shooting at the Boston Caribbean Carnival.

As of midnight Sunday, no arrests had been made and the investigation is still ongoing.

If you have information about this case, the Police Department is asking the public to send an anonymous text to 274637 TIPWPD or call the Worcester Police Detective Bureau at (508) 799-8651.

The shooting occurred near WPI. The school issued a statement Monday morning: "No WPI students, faculty, or staff were involved with or hurt as a result of the incident that took place in the vicinity of the Caribbean Festival at Institute Park. While this situation did not take place on our campus, our hearts do go out to those who were injured or otherwise impacted." 

More:Worcester Caribbean American Carnival: A festive day, disrupted by violence

Governor, Worcester mayoral candidates weigh in

On Monday morning, Gov. Maura Healey released a statement reacting to the shootings in Worcester and Boston over the weekend.

"I'm heartbroken over the gun violence that occurred this weekend in Boston and Worcester amid proud celebrations of culture, community and joy," Healey said. "This comes as the city of Springfield faces a devastating spike in violence this summer. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and the entire communities that have been impacted by these senseless shootings. I'm deeply grateful for the heroic efforts of law enforcement, public safety personnel and first responders whose quick actions have saved lives. Our administration is committed to being a strong partner to cities and towns by collaborating on a coordinated approach to get illegal guns off the streets, address the root causes of violence, and ensure safe communities for all.” 

Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty issued a statement on social media.

"In times like these, it's essential for us to remember the strength that resides within our diverse community," Petty wrote. "Worcester has always been a tapestry of cultures, a vibrant mosaic that enriches our city's fabric. Our festivals, like the Caribbean American Carnival, are not just celebrations of heritage. They are powerful reminders of the unity that arises from embracing our diversity."

City Councilor Khrystian King, who is challenging Petty in this fall's mayoral election, also commented on the shooting.

"The carnival highlights Worcester and its' surrounding community’s diversity, while allowing for the embracing of shared traditions across generations and demographics," King wrote. "This evening’s violence is not a reflection of the past 10 years of WACA’s Carnival."