Advertisement

Boston Police Meet With Community Groups Following 9-Year-Old's Death

Boston police are working with community groups to combat violence following the death of a 9-year-old boy, in an apparent accidental shooting by his 14-year-old brother.

Police on Monday night met with clergy and the Roxbury-based group Mothers for Justice and Equality — the same day the 14-year-old was arraigned on juvenile charges of involuntary manslaughter and illegal possession of a firearm. The 14-year-old, who hasn't been identified, was held on $500,000 bail.

Mothers for Justice President Monalisa Smith says it's important to provide mentoring for mothers, as well as reaching out to at-risk youth.

"We need to help families feel empowered to look through their child's room, to speak to someone about the changes in behaviors," she said, "but we also have to be able to coordinate all of the services so that we ensure that the family gets the support that they need."

The 14-year-old had been arrested multiple times for assault and last year had run away from a residential program for troubled adolescents, prior to Friday morning's fatal shooting in the family's Mattapan home.

Funeral services for the 9-year-old, who was identified by police as Jan Marcos Pena, will be held Thursday, according to The Boston Herald.

Advertisement

More from WBUR

Listen Live
Close