“Fireworks, firearms, and alcohol — bad combination,” Cox said, “and that’s what you saw around these events.”

He noted that the Fourth of July is always the peak of the year in terms of call volume for Boston and likely all major American cities.

Still, he said, “it was a very high volume.”

“It was a long and difficult night last night,” Wu said. “Our first responders and community safety teams were out throughout the night. This is a busy time of year, and when we see firearms present at large gatherings, that is never, never a recipe for peaceful celebrations.”

Wu said that her thoughts were with those impacted by the violence, especially the families of the victims, and that there has been and will continue to be trauma services available to community members.

She noted that prior to Saturday night, the number of shootings and shooting victims were down in Boston compared to the same time last year.

As of June 28th, Boston Police crime stats showed that 50 people had been shot, five fatally, down 14% from the same period in 2025, and down more than 20% from the five year average.

“We’re still at historic low numbers overall,” she said, “but that is never something we say to suggest that our work is slowing down or finished.”

Wu faced criticism last week after doubling down on rhetoric that Boston was still America’s safest major city, after an uptick in violence that included a triple shooting the weekend before. She held her stance despite calls from some city councilors and the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association for more officers on the street to address the increase in crime.

Although she said that numbers were low, Wu said, “We will not be satisfied until there is no violence anywhere in the city of Boston.”

Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said his office is investigating the incidents and asked for anyone with information about the shootings to come forward.

“Last night was obviously a challenging one,” he said. “We need the community’s help and support.”

Officers responded to the first shooting of the night on Fayton Street in Roxbury around 11:54 p.m. The victim’s injuries were life-threatening, and he was transported to the hospital, BPD said, adding that no arrests have been made.

Then, at 12:36 a.m., officers saw someone with a gunshot wound near 500 Blue Hill Ave., ultimately discovering three victims, who were all transported to the hospital.

One victim was pronounced dead at the hospital, and the others have non-life-threatening injuries, according to BPD. A fourth victim from the same incident also admitted themselves to a hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

At the same time, another person admitted themself to the hospital for a non-life threatening gunshot wound from a separate incident on Horadan Way.

Just before 2 a.m., officers responded to Draper Street in Dorchester for another person shot with non-life threatening injuries.

The last shooting occurred back in Roxbury around 3:14 a.m. Officers arrived at an address on George Street and found three victims who’d been shot. One person was pronounced dead at the hospital, another was transported with life-threatening injuries, and the third had non-life threatening injuries, police said.

Officials applauded police and EMS for their work. Hayden called it an “extraordinary effort,” and Cox said they’d done a “tremendous job,” despite the challenges.

“There was no question about who was supposed to do what, where, it was just a lot to respond to,” Wu said of night.

She noted the stark difference between the start of the “incredible” day and celebrations for America’s 250th birthday, with the violence that took place later.

“Our first responders do such hard work, they put their all into this,” Wu said. “Everyday they save lives, whether it’s a big holiday weekend or not, they are there for our community.”

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