Family: Mattapan victim has surgery, may survive

BOSTON -- The family of the lone survivor in Tuesday's shootings in Mattapan is holding out hope that he will recover.

Marcus Hurd was one of five people gunned down Tuesday. Hurd's stepfather said he was shot in the back of the neck when he was trying to escape the scene.

Hurd had surgery on Wednesday at Brigham & Women's Hospital, and although police initially said that he likely would not survive, family members said they are hopeful that he will pull through.

"Marcus is a strong man. Marcus will come out of this. I believe in my heart he's gonna come out of this," said Kaiesha Skinner, Hurd's cousin. "I'm not going to say had. He has a heart full of gold. If I say had it was as if he's gone, and he's not...he's still here."

Early reports said drugs might have been involved in this mass killing on Woolson Street, but Hurd's family said he didn't do drugs. They said he's a kind, generous and smart young man who might has been at the wrong place.

For now the family is grateful for the community support, and hopes it will not only help Hurd recover, but find justice for the four killed.

At the scene of the murders, there were growing memorials on Wednesday. Police patrolled the area, and religious leaders were on hand to lend their support. .

Four others were shot and killed alongside Hurd. No arrests have been made in the case.

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