BOSTON – One man was killed and another injured in a shooting on Labor Day afternoon in Dorchester.

Shortly before 1 p.m., officers responded to a report that two people had been shot in the area between Erie Street and Washington Street, said Boston Police Deputy Supt. Paul McLaughlin.

Both were taken to hospital, where one of the men died. The other man’s injuries were not fatal, according to police.

It appears the victims were customers at a hair salon, McLaughlin said. He said at this point in the investigation, police do not believe the shooting was a random event.

One of the victims’ grandfathers, Reiner Thompson, learned the news from his wife.

“He was shot in the head; his grandmother said he was shot in the head,” Thompson said.

He said he had spoken to his grandson just last week about putting him in a construction work program. “For all young people, you have to be a leader, not a follower.”

No arrests have been announced. Police are searching for video evidence and are asking anyone with information to contact them.

“We are looking for witnesses in the neighborhood,” said Deputy Superintendent Paul McLaughlin.

As of August 25, Boston had reported ten fatal shootings in 2024, half the number during the same period last year.