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.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan. — A 23-year-old man from Riverton has died following a shooting at a rural property in Cherokee County, Kansas, and his 19-year-old brother has been booked into jail on a second-degree murder allegation, according to information released by authorities.
The victim was identified as Gannon Reece, 23, of Riverton, Kansas. The suspect was identified as Joshua Wilson, 19, also of Riverton, who is the victim’s brother.
According to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Wilson was booked into the Cherokee County Jail on suspicion of second-degree murder. Formal charges are expected to be submitted to the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office.
Authorities said the Cherokee County Emergency Communication Center received a 911 call on October 23, 2026, reporting that a person had been shot at 4971 SE 67th, in a rural area of Cherokee County.
Deputies were dispatched to the location to investigate the reported shooting.
When deputies arrived, they found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services personnel examined the victim and determined that he had died.
The suspect, who authorities later identified as Joshua Wilson, was still at the scene when deputies arrived. Officers immediately detained him as the investigation began.
Authorities subsequently identified the deceased man as Gannon Reece and confirmed that Wilson was his younger brother.
Wilson was booked into the Cherokee County Jail in connection with Reece’s death on suspicion of second-degree murder.
According to the information provided by authorities, formal charges will be submitted to the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office. The available information does not specify whether prosecutors have formally filed the charges in court or whether Wilson has appeared before a judge.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the circumstances that led to the shooting.
No details have been released about what preceded the incident, whether an argument occurred, or what may have motivated the shooting. Authorities have not provided information about a possible firearm recovery or any other evidence beyond the initial circumstances described in the report.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation with assistance from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Cherokee County Attorney’s Office.
Investigators are working to determine the full circumstances surrounding Reece’s death and gather evidence relevant to the case.
Authorities have stated that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Officials also announced a temporary road closure affecting SE Lostine between Highway 69A and SE 60th.
Motorists were advised to use alternate routes until further notice while the closure remained in effect. The information provided did not specify when the roadway would reopen.
Drivers traveling through the area were encouraged to follow local traffic instructions and allow additional time for their journeys.
The fatal shooting has resulted in the death of a young Riverton resident and the arrest of his 19-year-old brother.
While authorities have identified both men and disclosed the booking allegation, several details remain unknown, including the events leading up to the shooting and the formal status of the prosecution.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and Cherokee County Attorney’s Office are continuing to investigate.
Joshua Wilson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.