Shooting occurs hours after community peace meeting

Gunfire erupted Wednesday night soon after a meeting to demand an end to the recent increase in South End violence.

A man was shot in the back near Washington Street and Massachusetts Avenue, WCVB reported. The shooting occurred after area residents met at the United South End Settlementscenter to discuss the surge in violence that has recently plagued the neighborhood.

The shooting victim was taken to Boston Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries, police said in a related Boston Globe report.

The community meeting, which was standing room only, was held as the past seven days have seen four shootings in the neighborhood, WCVB added. Police Commissioner William Evans told residents that crime is, in fact, down in the South End.

“There are 36 homicides too many in this city,” Evans was quoted by WCVB. “One was in this neighborhood. We’re working hard to find out, but we need the community’s help.”

Police also addressed the issue of drug abuse, the Globe reported, also stating that police Superintendent-in-Chief William G. Gross told those at the meeting to “let us know” if drug deals are occurring.

“We need your help too,” Gross was quoted by the Globe.

“You need to see [the] children as your children,” longtime resident Jewel Cash, who attended the meeting, was quoted by WCVB. “To respect them first, even that child who’s a gang member. He’s a gang member because that’s the only family he or she has.”

A peace march is planned for Thursday evening, WCVB added.