Shooter sought in Centennial Ave. shooting over the weekend

Two suffer gunshot wounds as State Police continue investigation

  Police continue to investigate the violence that erupted on Revere Beach Sunday night with the help of a cell phone video shot from a home window above the chaos. The video, which was obtained by Boston 25 News, shows a large group of young men involved in a scuffle in the street at Shirley and Centennial Avenues. About a minute into the video, one teen is seen breaking away from the group, raising a gun and firing seven times into the surrounding crowd.

  A 17-year-old female was shot in the leg. She was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital with what police described as a non-life-threatening injury. Police do not believe she was involved in the dispute.

Roughly an hour later, another fight broke out near the Shirley Ave. bathhouse. Again, shots were fired, and a 51-year-old woman was shot in the legs and a 17-year-old male was grazed by gunfire. The woman was taken to the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury, while the teen declined to be taken for medical care.

  An extensive police response that included the Revere Police, the Massachusetts State Police and the Boston Police cleared the crowd from the beach and began a deep search of the area.

  A juvenile male was arrested Sunday night for illegal possession of a firearm, but police are still investigating to determine if he was involved in the shootings. Police do not believe the two shootings are connected.

  The beach reopened on Monday, Memorial Day, with an increased police presence to assure the handful of families set up in the sand.

  Although Revere residents have heard about fights and violence on the beach before, visitors interviewed at the scene expressed confusion, fear and anger. Those emotions were also part of the official response to the shootings.

  “The [State Police] Association is disgusted with the violence and unlawful behavior displayed yesterday at Revere Beach,” wrote the Association on their Facebook page. “Every family within the Commonwealth deserves to be able to enjoy themselves at our parks and recreational areas without fear of violence and unlawful acts.” The association called for a united response from families, faith leaders and elected officials to take a stand against “unacceptable behavior.”

 Acting Mayor Patrick Keefe issued a statement warning that Revere will not stand for violence and disruptions on the beach. “This type of violence will not be tolerated and we will continue to work with our partners to create a family-friendly environment at America’s first public beach this summer,” said Keefe.