On the evening of September 6, 2017, a life full of promise was tragically cut short in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston. Sixteen-year-old Jerry Gomes, an African-American male, was sitting in a car on Payson Avenue at approximately 11:15 p.m. when he was fatally shot. The single gunshot wound to his head ended his life, and he was pronounced dead after being rushed to a local hospital.
The sudden and violent nature of his death sent shockwaves of grief and disbelief through his family and friends.
Jerry was remembered by his family as a caring and loving older brother and son who was very respectful. His sister expressed the profound shock and devastation the family experienced, emphasizing how much he was loved and the countless memories he left behind. The community was also reeling from the violence, as another fatal shooting had occurred just days earlier in a nearby barbershop, highlighting the ongoing struggle with gun violence in the area.
Born on January 7, 2001, Jerry was the beloved son of Otelio Gomes and Helena Almeida. He was a cherished brother to his siblings, Jasman A. Gomes, Taliane A. Gomes, Jilson A. Teixeira, Dunia A. Moreira, and Lenira A. Moreira. His death left a void in the lives of his extensive family and many friends who gathered to mourn their loss.
In the wake of the shooting, Boston police launched an investigation into the homicide of the Roxbury teen. Authorities appealed to the public for any information that could lead to the apprehension of those responsible for Jerry's death. However, despite the ongoing investigation, his case remains one of Boston's unsolved homicides. There have been no arrests made, and no suspects have been publicly identified in connection with the shooting. The lack of resolution continues to be a source of pain for his loved ones and a somber reminder of a young life taken too soon.
