Do you know who murdered Perris? An African-American man named Perris Haynes, a 29-year-old father of two from Dorchester, was killed in a double shooting in the early morning hours of July 20, 2013, on Harold Street in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood. Known as a hardworking man and a DJ, he was not the intended target of the gunfire. On the night of his death, Haynes had just finished a DJing gig at a party and was on his way home to his girlfriend and their children.
At approximately 1:00 a.m., he called his girlfriend to let her know he was heading back. Shortly after that phone call, around 1:30 a.m., he was struck by gunfire.
By all accounts, Perris Haynes was a beloved member of his community, often described as the go-to person for help and a devoted father and partner. He was known for his positive presence and for actively avoiding the street violence that was a part of his neighborhood. His death was a profound loss for his family and those who knew him, who remembered him as a man dedicated to providing for his family and being a pillar of his community. In a tragic irony, his body was discovered by a woman whose own son had also been a victim of gun violence. A sidewalk memorial was created in his honor where friends and family gathered to mourn his passing.
The investigation into the murder of Perris Haynes was ongoing as of February 2014, with law enforcement officials from the Suffolk County District Attorney's office stating that they were still actively searching for suspects. However, there have been no subsequent public announcements regarding any arrests or the identification of any suspects in the years following his death. The case remains a stark reminder of the impact of street violence on individuals and families in the community. The lack of resolution in his case left his loved ones without a sense of justice for his untimely and tragic death.
