4 killed, including 2-year-old boy, in Mattapan shooting

BOSTON -- Four people were killed and another was seriously injured in an early morning shooting in Mattapan on Tuesday.

Three people were pronounced dead at the scene near the corner of Wildwood Street and Wilson Street, including a mother who was apparently holding a 2-year-old boy.

"The mom was holding the baby, cradling and she got shot in the head which is really, really crazy," said Monique Golay, a neighbor.

The 2-year-old was rushed to Boston Medical Center, where he later died. A fifth victim, reportedly a male in his 30s, was listed in critical condition at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He is not expected to survive.

The adult victims reportedly were shot in the head.

"I heard it. It said 'Pap!' And then it was, 'Pap! Pap! Pap!' Just like that. It's like, whoever did the last three shots, he thought about it," said Golay, who heard the gunshots.

The rampage, chilling even the toughest of investigators who say at this point there is no clear motive, though neighbors heard something just before the barrage of gunfire.

"I heard a little arguing. Then I heard some shots," said one man.

-->People with information in this case are urged to call Boston Police at 1-617-343-4470 or anonymously at 1-800-494-TIPS. 

Two of the male victims were found naked in the street, and the female was found in her pajamas. The murders left the community stunned, and the Mayor outraged and speaking directly to the killer or killers.

"We know who you are. Cowards kill, cowards use guns to settle their scores. Cowards hide. Our kids cannot be your collateral damage," said Mayor Menino.

Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis arrived on the scene early to help in the investigation.

"There is a significant amount of evidence located at the scene," Davis said. "We are involved in a very intensive investigation that's been continuing through the early morning hours."

Police said they were looking for information about a grey or silver Ford Explorer that was spotted leaving the scene.  

Investigators said it's too early to talk motive, though they don't believe this was a random act.

"In our experience this kind of violence in this kind of magnitude is not something that's random, there's usually some connection between the victim and the killers," said Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley.

Officers are trying to determine if the crime or suspect(s) were caught on camera. 7NEWS spotted a nearby camera that would have been pointing where the suspect(s) fled the scene on Tuesday.

Police went through the neighborhood with flyers asking for help.

"We don't see this in Boston, and we don't see this really in the country all that often, so this is something that's very, very troubling," said Conley.

(Copyright (c) 2010 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)