Crime
Benjamin Cowart and Jalen Pina killed in shooting at birthday party in Carver
CARVER, Mass. — A suspect is in custody following a fatal shooting at a child’s birthday party Saturday evening in Carver that left two people dead and two others injured, according to authorities.
Police were dispatched at approximately 7:22 p.m. to the Saint John the Baptist Club, an event venue located on Silva Street, after receiving reports of gunfire.
Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz said responding officers discovered four individuals suffering from gunshot wounds upon arrival.
Benjamin Cowart, 27, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jalen Pina, 20, was transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Two additional victims were hospitalized.
A 28-year-old man was taken to Tufts Medical Center with injuries described as non-life-threatening, while a 32-year-old man was transported to South Shore Hospital for treatment. Their current conditions have not been publicly released.
District Attorney Cruz said the suspect initially fled the scene but was later located and taken into custody by the Carver Police Department.
Authorities identified the suspect as Nicholas Meuse, 23.
He has been charged with two counts of murder, two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, and multiple firearms-related offenses.
Meuse is scheduled to be arraigned in Wareham District Court.
The Carver Police Department stated that there is no ongoing threat to the public, noting that the incident does not appear to have been random.
The shooting remains under active investigation by the Massachusetts State Police in coordination with the Carver Police Department.
Additional information is expected to be released as the investigation progresses.
PORT JERVIS, N.Y. — February 15, 2026 — The City of Port Jervis Police Department is actively investigating a fatal shooting that occurred shortly after midnight on Hammond Street.
At approximately 12:32 a.m. on February 15, officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire in the area of 145–147 Hammond Street, located in the city’s Fourth Ward.
Upon arrival, officers discovered 43-year-old Jason Finch suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body following what authorities described as a disturbance.
Finch was transported to Bon Secours Hospital for emergency medical treatment. Despite lifesaving efforts, he later succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation is being conducted as a homicide and is a coordinated effort involving the New York State Police and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, with additional assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group and the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center.
Authorities have indicated that, at this time, the incident appears to be isolated and there is no known ongoing threat to the public.
Detectives continue to process evidence, conduct interviews, and pursue investigative leads.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact the Port Jervis Police Department at 845-856-5101. Additional updates will be provided as new information becomes available.