Jephthe Chery | Homicide Watch Boston

Police release video related to Thanksgiving shooting, ask for public's help

Gail Waterhouse — Tue, 05 Apr 2016 10:29:47 -0400

Boston Police have released video footage from Yawkey Way near Fenway Park in hopes that someone will recognize the man in the video, who police say "may have valuable information" about the shooting that later happened outside a nearby bar, killing Jephthe Chery.

Around 2 a.m. last Thanksgiving Day, a gunfight erupted outside the bar Who's on First, and a bullet hit and killed 30-year-old Chery, a bystander who police say had no involvement in the violence.

One of the men allegedly involved in the firefight, Dominique Carpenter-Grady, has been arraigned on firearms charges. No one has yet been arrested in connection with Chery's murder.

Police released a surveillance video of Yawkey Way before the shooting, which shows a black man wearing a camouflage print jacket pacing in the area before the shooting. Police the hope that someone who recognizes him will contact homicide detectives and tell them his identity. According to Boston Police:

At this time, investigators only wish to speak with him about his observations at the scene.

Anyone with information about the man in the video, the shootings, or Chery's murder, is asked to call BPD homicide detectives at 617-343-4470. People who wish to leave anonymous tips can call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS, or text the word 'TIP' to CRIME (27463).

Man arrested in connection with fatal Thanksgiving shooting outside Fenway bar

Gail Waterhouse — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 19:22:00 -0500

A man has been arrested in connection with last week's shooting outside a bar near Fenway Park that killed one man and injured three others.

On Wednesday, members of the Boston Police Department's fugitive unit arrested 26-year-old Dominique L. Carpenter-Grady of Dorchester on firearm-related charges in connection with the shooting that happened early Thanksgiving Day outside the bar Who's On First. Officers found him hiding in the attic, according to MyFoxBoston.

Jephthe Chery

On Thursday, Nov. 26 at around 2 a.m., Hyde Park resident Jephthe Chery reportedly got caught in crossfire outside the Yawkey Way bar Who's On First. He was shot and died at the scene. Three other men in their late 20s were injured and taken to area hospitals for treatment.

Law enforcement officials believe Chery was an unintended target. Friends and family members described the MBTA Commuter Rail conductor as a hard-working man who took care of his parents and smiled often. He was killed just one day before his 30th birthday. Click here for information on wake and funeral services for Chery.

Carpenter-Grady was arraigned on the firearm charges, which included unlawful possession of a firearm as a second offense, in Roxbury District Court on Thursday. He stayed out of view of courtroom cameras, according to WCVB.

According to the prosecution, Carpenter-Grady can be seen on video arguing with another man outside the bar just before the shooting, MyFoxBoston reports. The video then reportedly shows the two men firing guns at each other. One of the bullets struck Chery.

Carpenter-Grady has not been charged with murder, and his lawyer, Susan Rayburn, said he should be viewed as a victim of a crime, not one of the perpetrators, according to the Boston Globe.

He was charged as a "Level II armed career criminal" due to past convictions, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's office, judge ordered Carpenter-Grady held on $250,000 cash bail and will next appear in court on December 23.

The DA's office did not release a booking photo of Carpenter-Grady.

Police are still actively investigating this incident and ask anyone with information to call BPD homicide detectives at 617-343-4470. Anonymous tipsters can call 1-800-494-TIPS, or text the word 'TIP' to CRIME (27463).

Man killed outside Fenway bar early Thanksgiving morning

Gail Waterhouse — Sun, 29 Nov 2015 21:34:27 -0500

A man who was shot and killed outside a bar near Fenway Park early Thanksgiving morning is believed to have been an unintended target. Three other people were also injured during the shooting.

Jephthe Chery, 29, was shot and killed outside Who's on First at around 2 a.m. Thursday morning. Chery, a conductor for the MBTA Commuter Rail, would have celebrated his 30th birthday on Friday.

Boston Police Commissioner William Evans told the Boston Globe that Chery was "an innocent" who got caught in crossfire and had nothing to do with the violence.

Evans described the scene as hectic moments after the shooting and said a sergeant had inspected Who’s On First shortly before the shooting began. He said officers were less than a block away.

[Mayor] Walsh said the chaos unfolded after a private party at the bar. Chery had stopped by the bar to see a friend, relatives said Thursday.

Three other men, all in their late 20s, according to Boston Police, were taken to area hospitals to be treated for non-life threatening injuries. Evans told the Globe some of the injured men were known to police, but not Chery.

Dozens of people visited Chery's parents' house in Hyde Park where they shared memories of their friend, who immigrated from Haiti to the U.S. and was known as a hard worker who was always smiling.

Jean Chery, Jephthe's father, told CBS Boston that he lost his best friend.

Police had not arrested a suspect in the shooting as of Sunday night. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call homicide detectives at 617-343-4470. Anonymous tips can be left by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS, or by texting the word 'TIP' to CRIME (27463).

Click here to view a video message from Commissioner Evans about how information from the community is vital to solving homicides.

Friends have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover Chery's funeral costs.