Baby and woman shot in Boston, with baby hospitalized with life-threatening injuries

A baby and a woman were shot and injured in Dorchester late Monday, according to Boston police.

Both victims were transported to area hospitals, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said during an early morning press conference. Cox said the baby's injuries are life-threatening, and the adult woman is expected to survive her injuries.

Boston police were alerted to the shooting at about 11:40 p.m. by ShotSpotter, technology that detects gunfire, as well as 911 calls reporting a baby was shot, a department spokesman said in an email. Officers arrived at the scene at 81 Stratton Street near the intersection of Ames Way in the Franklin Field housing development and found the woman and child wounded in the driveway area.

The suspect fled the scene and no arrests have been made, the police spokesman said.

Cox called the shooting a "heinous act" and asked for the public to contact detectives with any information that could help identify suspects. Those wishing to offer information anonymously may call 1-800-494-TIPS, police said.

"I can't think of any reason why somebody would shoot both a female and a young child," said Cox. "So we really need the public's help and support on this one a great deal."

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu also weighed in on the case Tuesday morning, saying she was “horrified to have heard the news,” but is thankful BPD and EMS acted swiftly.

“First responders were there quickly,” she noted. “They were able to quickly transport the victims and provide medical care. Things could have been even worse.”

She added, “There are now community members who will be impacted, families that are going to live with trauma, and we're pushing out every resource that we can to make sure there's accountability in this case.”

The commissioner said trauma teams are in the area to help anyone struggling in the aftermath of the shooting.

The scene of Monday’s shootings is a short distance from 50 Ames St., where five people were shot a year ago – nearly to the day – in a courtyard of the housing complex. Two children were among the victims in that incident. All survived the attack, including a 15-year-old girl who was shot in the head and hospitalized for three months.

With reporting from Cassidy McNeeley of The Dorchester Reporter.