2 Killed and 2 Critically Injured in Shooting at Child’s Birthday Party in Mass.

A 23-year-old man has been charged with murder following a shooting that left two people dead and two others critically injured at a child’s birthday party in Carver, Massachusetts.

At about 7:21 p.m. local time on Saturday, Jan. 24, police responded to reports that “multiple people had been shot” at Saint John the Baptist Club, a social club on Silva Street where the party was being held, Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz said in a statement.

“Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene and located four victims, two of whom were pronounced dead,” Cruz said.

Authorities identified the victims who died as 27-year-old Benjamin Cowart and 20-year-old Jalen Pina. Cruz said Cowart was pronounced dead at the scene, while Pina later died from his injuries at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth.

Two other victims — a 28-year-old man and a 32-year-old man — were taken to local hospitals and remain in critical condition, the Carver Journal reported.

Prosecutors identified the suspect as 23-year-old Nicholas Meuse.

“While on scene, Carver Police located the suspected shooter, Nicholas Meuse, 23, down the street from the Saint John the Baptist Club,” Cruz said. “Meuse was arrested on scene and transported to the Carver Police Department.”

Meuse is expected to be arraigned in Wareham District Court on two counts each of murder and armed assault with intent to murder, along with multiple gun charges, Cruz said.

According to CBS News, Meuse is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, Jan. 26, and Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Police indicated the shooting may have been targeted. The Carver Police Department said it did not appear to be random and that there was no ongoing threat to the public, though investigators have not released details about what led up to the shooting or how Meuse may have been connected to the victims.

“Officers are on scene investigating an incident on Silva Street. This does not appear to be a random act, and there is no threat to the public,” the department said in a Facebook post. “A person of interest has been detained.”

Silva Street was closed in the aftermath as the Massachusetts State Police and Carver Police continued investigating.

Pina, one of the victims who died, was described as a “beautiful soul” on a GoFundMe fundraiser launched to help cover funeral costs. The fundraiser has raised more than $14,000 toward an $18,000 goal. On Instagram, Pina’s account shows he performed a show one day before he was killed.

“Following Saturday night’s tragic events, I want to thank the Carver community for your patience, cooperation, and support as officers and investigators worked through a difficult and emotional scene,” Carver Police Chief Marc Duphily said on Facebook. “…The responsible individual was quickly taken into custody … Our thoughts remain with the victims and their families.”