Jalen Jose Tavares was a 19-year-old male of Cape Verdean descent who worked as a Personal Care Assistant after graduating from high school. On the evening of June 22, 2026, his life was cut short when he was fatally shot in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Police Department responded to a call at approximately 7:38 p.m. for a person shot in the vicinity of 115 Milton Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Tavares at 6 Selden Street, located at the rear of 115 Milton Avenue, suffering from a gunshot wound. Boston EMS personnel pronounced him deceased at the scene.
The death of Jalen was immediately treated as a homicide by the Boston Police Department, which launched an active and ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Homicide detectives were tasked with gathering evidence and seeking information from the public to identify who was responsible for his death. Authorities urged anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it might seem, to contact them, even offering anonymous ways to provide tips through the CrimeStoppers program. In the days following the shooting, no arrests had been made, and the police had not publicly identified any suspects in connection with the case.
Remembered for his compassionate spirit and kind heart, Jalen was a beloved son, brother, and friend. His family, including his parents, Reneto Tavares and Cheri Fernandes, and his siblings, were left to mourn the sudden and violent loss of a young man who dedicated his work to caring for others. The investigation into Jalen's murder remains an open case for the Boston Police Department. The lack of publicly available information regarding arrests or suspects in the period immediately following the incident underscores the challenges often faced in solving such violent crimes. The case is an active homicide investigation, with law enforcement continuing to seek leads to bring justice for Jalen and his family.
