BOSTON (AP/WHDH) — A man accused of fatally shooting two innocent bystanders outside a Jamaica Plain housing complex earlier this month is being held without bail.
Wilvin Guity, 28, of Dorchester, was arraigned Monday morning on two counts of murder in connection with the May 4 shooting deaths of 23-year-old Christopher Joyce and 58-year-old Clayborn Blair. Guity was arrested Saturday.
Police say the victims were shot while standing with a group of people who had gathered outside at the Mildred Hailey Apartments.
Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans says he thinks the victims were the unintended targets of gang violence.
“It appeared he was just firing at the people in the courtyard and not toward any particular target,” prosecutor John Verner said.
At least two dozen friends and family of the victims packed the courtroom, hoping to see Guity in person, but he hid behind a wall as he faced a judge.
“Why should he have the opportunity to hide his face and not come out, but you shoot my nephew boldly,” Pauline Hunt told 7News. “How fair is that?”
Joyce was scheduled to graduate from Salem State University this month. His cousin, Shari Frazier, said he was thrilled and looking forward to picking up his cap and gown.
“He was really excited,” Frazier said. “He kept saying ‘I made it. I made it. I did it. I did it.'”
Joyce will be posthumously awarded a degree in accounting at a commencement ceremony on Saturday.
Guity is due back in court on June 13.
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