The skyline of Boston, highlighting the ongoing community concerns about rising violence.
Boston faces increasing concerns over rising homicide rates following the tragic death of Andrew Owens, a dedicated volunteer for a mayoral campaign. Despite a notable drop in homicides in recent years, community leaders express fears over public safety as recent incidents raise alarms. This tragic event emphasizes the fragility of progress against gun violence in the city, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures to ensure community safety.
Boston is grappling with rising homicide rates and community concerns following the tragic death of Andrew Owens, a 38-year-old volunteer for mayoral candidate Josh Kraft’s campaign. Owens was fatally shot around 11 p.m. on April 19 in Nubian Square, as confirmed by Boston police. The gunfire not only claimed Owens’s life but also left a second victim with non-life-threatening injuries. Surprisingly, both incidents received minimal media coverage.
Owens’s name has been included in the homicide count reported by local news organization Universal Hub, marking an unsettling statistic for a city that had recently celebrated a notable decrease in violence. In 2024, Boston experienced 24 homicides—the lowest number since 1957 and a drop from 36 the previous year. However, community leaders express that despite this reduction, many residents still feel threatened in their neighborhoods.
While discussing homicide statistics at a meeting with the Globe’s editorial board, Kraft referenced Owens’s shooting. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has expressed her stance that any loss of life due to gun violence is unacceptable; however, she has not publicly addressed Owens’s death specifically. The recent surge in crime has prompted individuals to question the validity of celebrating historically low homicide numbers if recent trends indicate an uptick. For instance, in 2025, the city reported eight homicides, an increase from four at the same point the year before.
Local experts link the rise in violent crimes in various neighborhoods, including Downtown Crossing and the South End, to challenges such as homelessness and the opioid crisis. As the city continues to investigate Owens’s murder, police are exploring potential connections to broader violent crime issues affecting Boston.
Two days before his untimely death, Owens was looking forward to joining other campaign volunteers for an event on April 30 to help gather signatures for Kraft’s ballot. Described as friendly and outgoing, he was recognized by Garrick Thames, an executive director at a nonprofit focused on addiction and recidivism, who referred Owens to the campaign. Thames shared that Owens was about to gain custody of his daughter and actively participated in a weekly father’s group.
Owens was an upstanding citizen with no gang affiliations and was portrayed as an innocent victim caught in the crossfire during the shooting. Kraft attended Owens’s funeral and memorial service, confirming this detail through a campaign spokesperson after it initially went unmentioned in discussions about the campaign’s response to the incident.
As the community reels from this tragedy, local leaders are calling for heightened outreach programs and initiatives targeted at supporting young people, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to combat rising gun violence. The city remains focused on finding solutions in an increasingly challenging environment, while the investigation into the April 19 shooting proceeds, with hopes of uncovering more information that may aid in preventing future incidents.
The circumstances surrounding Owens’s death have intensified dialogue about the city’s safety and the ongoing challenges of addressing gun violence effectively. While Boston has celebrated reduced homicide numbers in recent years, the tragic events involving local community members underscore the fragility of this progress and the pressing need for comprehensive strategies to ensure public safety.
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