Justin Bettencourt Obituary, Death – Authorities in Boston have identified the young man who was shot and killed in a Roxbury park on Tuesday afternoon. The Boston Police Department confirmed that the victim was 21-year-old Justin Bettencourt of Dorchester. He died at a local hospital after being discovered with a critical gunshot wound at Horatio Harris Park.
The shooting happened shortly before 3 p.m. at the park, which is located near the intersection of Munroe Street and Warren Street. Officers responding to reports of gunfire found Bettencourt in grave condition, and he was transported to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Witnesses in the area recalled hearing multiple gunshots and described a chaotic scene following the incident. Phillip Mayo, a nearby resident, recounted what he experienced during the shooting.
“I heard maybe two to four shots,” Mayo said. “I couldn’t see exactly where it was happening—it was up the street, out of my view—but right after that, I saw two men speeding downhill on a small motorcycle or moped.”
Another local, Jack O’Hara, also heard the gunfire and initially mistook it for a car backfiring. He quickly realized it was something more serious.
“Then I saw a guy lying across Munroe Street,” O’Hara said. “He was in a pool of blood. From what I could tell, he was still conscious, but it was a lot of blood. A really gruesome sight.”
Investigators believe the fatal shooting may have been carried out as a drive-by from a moped. Police recovered two mopeds just a couple of blocks away from the scene on Kensington Street. These vehicles were taken in as potential evidence and could be key to identifying the suspects.
Boston Police Superintendent Paul McLaughlin said the department is currently examining multiple reports and pieces of information.
“We’ve gotten different accounts of what happened, and right now we’re trying to sort through all of that to determine what’s actually connected to this shooting,” McLaughlin said.
Despite the heavy police presence and the collection of some physical evidence, no suspects have been arrested, and the case remains under active investigation. Detectives are urging the public to come forward with any relevant information, including security camera footage or eyewitness accounts that may assist in identifying those involved.
The shooting has sparked frustration and concern among local residents, many of whom are weary of violent incidents disrupting what they consider a peaceful neighborhood. Charlotte Williams, a long-time community member, expressed her disappointment at the continuing violence.
“This is a good neighborhood,” Williams said. “We’re tired of people coming through here causing trouble. Just stop. Get a job and do something better with your life.”
Horatio Harris Park, usually a quiet and safe area for families and children, became the center of a violent crime that left both residents and city officials deeply unsettled. Community leaders have called for increased police patrols and engagement in the area to prevent further violence.
Police have not yet revealed a possible motive for the shooting, nor have they said whether Bettencourt was specifically targeted or an unintended victim. The ongoing investigation will focus on clarifying these questions as officers gather more information and process forensic evidence.
The recovery of the mopeds may prove crucial in identifying suspects or determining how the attack was planned and carried out. Investigators are also working to track the path the suspects may have taken before and after the shooting.
In the meantime, police are continuing to canvas the area and speak with potential witnesses. They are asking anyone with information—no matter how small—to come forward and help bring clarity to the situation. Tips can be submitted anonymously to CrimeStoppers or directly to the Boston Police Department.
Bettencourt’s death adds to the troubling number of young lives lost to gun violence in Boston and highlights ongoing concerns about public safety in neighborhoods like Roxbury. Local officials have renewed calls for community cooperation and resources to address root causes of violence.
For now, the neighborhood remains on edge, hoping for answers and resolution. The police department’s message to the community is clear: any information could make a difference in solving this case and preventing further violence.
As the investigation unfolds, family, friends, and community members are left to mourn the loss of a 21-year-old whose life was cut tragically short. Tributes and condolences have begun to appear on social media, reflecting a deep sense of sorrow and the urgent need for justice.
