Brockton, Massachusetts, is mourning the loss of a young man following a tragic shooting in Carver during a child’s birthday celebration on Saturday evening. The incident unfolded around 7:21 p.m. when police received multiple emergency calls about shots fired at the Saint John the Baptist Club on Silva Street.
Upon arriving at the scene, authorities discovered four individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. Benjamin Cowart, 27, from Brockton, was pronounced dead at the location. A second victim, identified as 20-year-old Jalen Pina of Middleborough, was transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth but later succumbed to his injuries. Two other men, aged 28 and 32, were taken to hospitals with injuries that were not life-threatening.
Authorities apprehended the suspected shooter, 23-year-old Nicholas Meuse of Plymouth, who was found a short distance from the club. He was arrested without incident and taken into custody by Carver Police.
Preliminary investigations suggest that all individuals involved were acquaintances, indicating a complex relationship among the parties present at the celebration. In the aftermath, a GoFundMe campaign was initiated to honor Cowart’s memory, describing him as a beloved figure whose warmth and spirit profoundly impacted those around him. The fundraising page emphasizes the deep sense of loss felt by friends and family, who remember him for his infectious kindness and the joy he brought into their lives.
Meuse faces serious charges, including two counts of murder, two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, and multiple firearms-related offenses. He is set to appear in Wareham District Court on Tuesday.
Local law enforcement, alongside the Massachusetts State Police, continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, piecing together the events that led to this devastating incident. The community is left grappling with the unexpected violence, as residents seek answers and support in a time of collective grief.