A birthday party at the Saint John the Baptist Club on Silva Street in Carver, Massachusetts, ended in a deadly shooting on the evening of January 24, 2026. Families and children had been attending the celebration when loud arguments were heard, then gunfire. First responders found 27-year-old Benjamin Cowart dead at the scene. A second victim, 20-year-old Jalen Pina, later died at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth. Two other men, ages 28 and 32, suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and were taken to area hospitals.

Authorities arrested 23-year-old Nicholas Meuse in nearby woods after reports say he called 911 and admitted to being the shooter. Investigators say Meuse and the victims were known to each other and that Meuse had been invited to the party by a relative; reports indicate pre-existing conflicts escalated into violence. Meuse was arraigned in Wareham District Court on two counts of murder and multiple related charges and was held without bail pending a probable cause hearing on February 25, 2026. The investigation remains ongoing.

A GoFundMe page was set up by Benjamin Cowart’s family to help with funeral and memorial expenses. If anyone at the party or who knew Benjamin has information that could help investigators, please come forward.