A 23-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder following a shooting at a family birthday party that left two people dead and two others injured.
Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz confirmed that the shooting took place at a party in Carver, Massachusetts, on the night of Saturday, January 24, according to CBS News.
Cruz said that multiple 911 calls were made just after 7 p.m. regarding a reported shooting at social club Saint John the Baptist.
When first responders arrived at the venue, 27-year-old Benjamin Cowart was found dead at the scene after he was hit by gunfire. Additionally, 20-year-old Jalen Pina was found injured and was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
A 28-year-old man was taken to Tufts Medical Center, where he was treated for non life-threatening injuries. Meanwhile, officials also said that a 32-year-old man was taken to South Shore Hospital for treatment and survived the shooting.
Nicholas Meuse has since been arrested for his alleged involvement in the shooting. “The alleged suspect, who initially fled the scene, was taken into custody by the Carver (police),” Cruz said in the statement.
Meuse is scheduled to be arraigned in Wareham District Court on two counts each of murder and armed assault with intent to murder and multiple gun charges, according to authorities. The arraignment will either take place on Monday, January 26, or Tuesday, January 27, depending on the weather.
Cruz explained that the shooting was not a random incident, stating that everyone who attended the family birthday party appeared to know each other. Due to this conclusion, Cruz insisted that the public should not be concerned about similar incidents happening.
“The people here in the town of Carver should feel safe,” Cruz said. “There is no ongoing threat.”
However, it is not clear how Meuse knew the victims or the person celebrating their birthday.
No other information has been shared about the shooting or what may have caused it. There is an ongoing investigation as police continue to look for details and information about the fatal incident.
The Massachusetts State Police and Carver Police Department are working together to conduct the investigation. Neither department immediately responded to Us Weekly’s request for comment.
It is not currently clear if Meuse has entered a plea or retained legal representation.
Following the shooting, Cowart’s parents set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money for his funeral expenses. “It is with unimaginable heartbreak that we share the passing of our beloved son, Benjamin Cowart, who left us unexpectedly. There are no words that can truly express the pain of losing a child, and our family is still trying to process this devastating loss,” the page read.
“Benjamin was deeply loved and will always be remembered for his heart, his spirit, and the impact he had on everyone who knew him. He brought light, laughter, and love into our lives, and his absence has left an ache that can never be filled,” the parents added.
