Boston Police searching for suspects in fatal double shooting

BOSTON — Two men were shot and killed Friday evening in Jamaica Plain near Jackson Square, said police.

Police were on patrol Friday when they heard what sounded like gunshots near 277 Centre St. The officers immediately went to where the noise came from and found two men suffering from gunshot wounds.

Police Commissioner Williams Evans said first responding officers and EMTs encountered a hostile crowd at the shooting scene, and officers had to call in additional units for officers' safety;

Both men were taken to area hospitals and both later died due to their injuries.

One of the victims has been identified as Salem State University student Christopher Joyce. He was set to graduate in just a few weeks.

A spokesperson for Salem State issued the following statement regarding Joyce's death:

"It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of our student, Christopher Joyce. Our thoughts are with his family and with the students who are suffering from a loss of a friend and classmate. We mourn the loss of Chris together, as a community.  Support services are available for our students, faculty, and staff, and we ask that our campus have privacy at this time to grieve this tragic loss."

The other victim, a man in his 50's, hasn't been identified by police.

Boston Police homicide detectives are actively investigating the shootings. Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1 (800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463).

Cox Media Group