Brother Of Boston Anti-Crime Activist Fatally Shot

The brother of a Boston activist who has worked to stop street crime has been fatally shot.

The Boston Herald reports that Joao DePina said his brother, 29-year-old Michael DePina, was gunned down in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood on Friday night.

Police said Michael DePina died after being shot at about 8:45 p.m. His death is the 24th homicide in Boston so far this year, compared with 19 during the same period last year.

Joao DePina has worked as a field director for state Rep. Evandro Carvalho and has organized vigils for other homicide victims and taken part in peace marches.

Referring to his brother's death, he says, "No one would ever think that it would be your own."

Police are investigating.