Daylight Shooting Near Charlestown High School Stops Graduation

CHARLESTOWN, MA — A graduation ceremony was interrupted over the weekend after several shots were fired near the Charlestown High School over the weekend.

According to Boston police, no one was hurt or struck by gunfire and the incident was not connected to the graduation ceremony near Polk Street.

Graduating seniors have yet to receive their diplomas, but a spokesperson for the school says they will reschedule a make-up ceremony at a later date.

As of Tuesday morning, Boston police say no arrests have been made, but a bullet hole pierced the driver's side window of a car near the ceremony and police taped off the area while students vacated the area, police said.

Boston Superintendent Brenda Cassellius released a statement saying, "Our graduation celebrations are deeply personal to us and it's devastating that senseless acts of violence in the community interrupted what was meant to be a joyous occasion."

"Our students and their families work incredibly hard to reach this moment and to start their journeys after graduation," Cassellius continued. "We are very proud of this class that has been through so much and yet they persevered. Many thanks to our Charlestown community for coming together and taking care of each other during this time."

Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden referred to the shooting as part of an "illegal gun incident," and called to remove them from the streets.

"Bullets fired from illegal guns wound our society just as they wound and kill the people who comprise it," Hayden said in a statement. "Today's broad-daylight shooting near Charlestown High School, just as students, teachers, and parents were gathering for a graduation event, is yet another example of the perilous combination of too many illegal guns and too many people willing to use them - anywhere, anytime. I'm calling again for all of us, from every facet of society, to join the effort against this pervasive menace."

Boston police are asking anyone with information to contact them immediately.

No additional information was immediately available.