On the evening of September 23, 2024, 19-year-old Quami J. Clarke, a Black/African American male, was shot in the Mildred Hailey Boston Housing Authority Apartments area of Centre Street in Jamaica Plain. Officers heard multiple gunshots at about 9:22 p.m. and found Clarke with several gunshot wounds near 277 Centre Street; he died after being taken to a local hospital.

Police described a large crime scene extending to Heath Street and recovered multiple weapons. Another 19-year-old from Boston, Edwin Vinales, was seen fleeing, was arrested after allegedly discarding a semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine, and was arraigned on firearms and ammunition charges; his attorney urged caution about linking him directly to the fatal shooting.

On January 10, 2025, authorities arrested 18-year-old Jason Douglas in Quincy and charged him with Clarke’s murder along with multiple weapons-related counts; he was booked and awaited arraignment in Suffolk Superior Court. Clarke had graduated from Excel High School on September 10, 2024, and was remembered by family and friends for his contagious smile; a neighborhood memorial was established.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Boston Police.