Postal worker shot in Dorchester

DORCHESTER, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A postal worker was shot in Dorchester Friday during what may have been an attempted robbery, according to police.

Police received a call just after 6 p.m. Friday for a postal worker shot on Bailey Street. The postal carrier was in the back of his mail truck grabbing packages to deliver, when a masked man in a black hooded jacket jumped into the truck with him. A scuffle ensued and the suspect hit the postal carrier in the head with his gun, and then forced him to take off his uniform. The postal carrier was also reportedly shot in the hand.

The suspect attempted to drive away in the mail truck with the postal carrier inside, but the carrier was able to escape out the back of the truck and ran to a house for help. The suspect ended up crashing into a snowbank in the truck and then ran through backyards.

After investigating, officials found that the suspect fled in a Uhaul rental van, which was later found at a Sunoco Gas Station in Dorchester. Both the Uhaul van and mail truck were towed for evidence.

Police are still unaware if the suspect got away with anything in the back of the truck.

Neighbors in the area can't believe someone would attack a postal carrier, working so hard this time of year.

"They work late, they have to work until their truck is empty and it's just terrible. It's discouraging, it's very discouraging," a neighbor said.

Superintendent of Boston Police Kevin Buckley said that this time of year people often take a chance like this, trying to get anything of value that's being delivered.

The suspect is described as a black male in his 20's. He is between 5'8" and 5'10" tall.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Dorchester detectives at 617-343-4335.

Cox Media Group