Arrest Made In Shooting At Worcester Caribbean Carnival

WORCESTER, MA — A local man was arrested and charged Tuesday in connection to a shooting near the Worcester Caribbean American Carnival last month that left two people injured.

Worcester police along with state police and U.S. Marshals arrested Omar Molina at a Holden home on Tuesday. He will be charged with armed assault with intent to murder, carrying a gun without a license and firing a gun within 500 feet of a home, Worcester police said.

The carnival was cut short on Aug. 27 around 6:30 p.m. after shots rang out near the corner of Salisbury and Boynton streets. A 15-year-old and a 23-year-old were left with gunshot wounds, police said. Both victims were bystanders, but police said the shooting was related to a dispute.

The Worcester Caribbean American Carnival has been held peacefully over the past 10 years in August with a parade and accompanying festival at Institute Park. The gunfire at the 2023 event came about a day after multiple people were injured in a shooting at Boston's annual Caribbean celebration.

"The Worcester Caribbean American Carnival Association is heartbroken at the senseless violence that took place yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and witnesses that experienced this traumatic incident," carnival organizer Jennifer Gaskin said following the Aug. 27 incident. "We are thankful to WPD and all the first responders that addressed the situation quickly and ensured everyone's safety."