Family searching for answers after woman shot, killed in Dorchester

DORCHESTER, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A community is mourning and looking for answers after a woman was shot and killed Saturday morning.

At about 8:17 a.m., police responded to the sound of gunshots near Blue Hill Avenue and Charlotte Street. Officers found a woman on the ground suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound, police say. Dawnn Jaffier, 26, was taken to the hospital were she was later pronounced dead.

A second woman, also in her early 20s, sustained non-life threatening gunshot wounds and was found in the area of 783 Blue Hill Ave. She was also taken to the hospital for treatment.

Officers saw three people running from the shooting scene, and were able to detain them. Two were interviewed and released, but the third person, Keith Williams, 18, of Boston was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. The gun was recovered from the scene.

"As far as we know, this victim is an innocent victim," police said Saturday.

Jaffier was well-known in the community. The West End Boys and Girls Club, which Jaffier was very involved with, released a statement Saturday.

"Today the west end house family lost one of their own," the statement read in part. "Many of us had the privilege of watching Dawnn grow up at the club. We are shocked and saddened that a senseless act of violence took away such a gifted, kind, and compassionate young woman."

It was not clear if the incident was connected to a parade going on Saturday as part of the city's annual Caribbean Carnival.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 617-343-4470.

Cox Media Group