BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – When we think about mass shootings, locations like Las Vegas, Columbine, and Sandy Hook often come to mind. These tragic events are seemingly far removed from Massachusetts, or so we thought. However, the state has had its share of deadly shootings that have left lasting scars on local communities.
One such incident, known as the Boston Chinatown Massacre or Tyler Street Massacre, occurred in the early hours of January 12, 1991. Five men were shot and killed execution-style at a gambling den in Boston’s Chinatown. Two members of the Ping-On gang were convicted of the murders, while a third suspect remains at large.
Another devastating mass shooting took place at Bard’s College in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, on December 14, 1992. Wayne Lo opened fire, killing a student and a professor, and injuring four others. Lo is currently serving two life prison sentences.
The deadliest mass shooting in modern Massachusetts history happened on December 26, 2000, at Edgewater Technology in Wakefield. Michael Morgan McDermott, a former employee, shot and killed seven of his co-workers. McDermott, armed with multiple firearms, fired a total of 37 rounds, resulting in the tragic loss of seven lives.
McDermott’s victims ranged in age, with four women and seven men among the casualties. He was convicted of seven counts of first-degree murder and is presently serving life in prison without parole at the Old Colony Correctional Center in Bridgewater.
Despite its reputation as a state with stringent gun control laws, Massachusetts has not been immune to the devastating impact of mass shootings. These tragic events continue to serve as painful reminders of the need for ongoing efforts to prevent such senseless violence from occurring in the future.