Xavier G. Rivas, a 22-year-old Hispanic male, was fatally shot on the night of Saturday, September 2, 2023, in Boston, Massachusetts. The incident occurred at approximately 11:41 p.m. near Old Road and Michigan Avenue in the Dorchester neighborhood, an area close to the Franklin Park Zoo. When police officers from the B-3 District responded to a report of a person shot, they found Rivas suffering from gunshot wounds.
He was transported by Boston EMS to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
In the wake of his death, those who knew Xavier, affectionately called "Zay," remembered him as a caring, loving, and joyful individual with a contagious energy. His obituary described him as someone who loved to make others laugh and who made those around him feel safe and well taken care of. It also highlighted his ambition and determination; having graduated from high school and purchased his own car, he had recently obtained his Commercial Driver's License. A GoFundMe campaign was started by his loved ones to help with funeral expenses.
The day after the shooting, on Sunday, September 3, 2023, an arrest was made in connection with the case. At about 2:56 p.m., members of the Boston Police Department's Youth Violence Strike Force apprehended 21-year-old Mikai Thomson of Dorchester. The arrest took place at Albert Street and Ruggles Street in Roxbury. At the time of his arrest, Thomson was already wanted on a warrant issued in August for various firearms charges and for assault and battery on a police officer.
Following further investigation by Boston Homicide Detectives, Thomson was charged with the murder of Xavier Rivas. In addition to the murder charge, he faced charges of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm. Thomson was scheduled for arraignment in Dorchester District Court. The Boston Police Department has continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
