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.
Norfolk, Virginia — Authorities have identified the instructor killed during Thursday’s shooting at Old Dominion University as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a retired U.S. Army officer who had returned to the university to serve as an instructor with its Army ROTC program.
The shooting occurred at approximately 10:43 a.m. on the university’s campus in Norfolk. Police responded after receiving multiple emergency calls reporting an active shooter inside Constant Hall.
According to law enforcement sources, the suspect—identified by authorities as Mohammed Jalloh—entered the building and walked through the hallway before approaching a classroom where an Army ROTC session was underway.
The suspect reportedly asked individuals inside whether he had arrived at an ROTC class. When someone confirmed that it was, the suspect allegedly opened fire, fatally shooting the class instructor.
Voorhees University confirmed in a public Facebook statement that the victim was Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, noting the tragedy has personal ties to the institution.
“This tragedy is felt especially close to home for us, as the victim, Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah, was the son-in-law of Voorhees University Trustee and alumnus Dr. Dan Martin,” the university wrote in its statement. “We lift Dr. Martin and his family in our thoughts and prayers during this time of unimaginable loss.”
Shah was a native of Staunton and began his military career by enlisting in the United States Army in 2003 as an aviation operations specialist.
In 2005, he enrolled at Old Dominion University, where he later received his Army commission in 2007. Shah graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in military science.
Following his commissioning, Shah served extensively in Army aviation. According to his alumni profile at ODU, he earned the Army Aviation Senior Aviator wings, logging more than 1,200 flight hours across three different aircraft and accumulating over 600 combat flight hours during his service.
In addition to his undergraduate degree, Shah pursued advanced education, earning an MBA from University of Georgia and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from University of Kansas.
Throughout his military career, Shah received numerous awards and distinctions. Among them were the Senior Army Aviator Badge, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.
His alumni biography also described him as a strong advocate for minority and veteran business education, highlighting his involvement in initiatives that support diversity, inclusion, and entrepreneurship. In addition to his professional work, Shah volunteered his time to assist underserved communities.
Shah returned to his alma mater in summer 2022 to serve as an instructor and help lead the Army ROTC Monarch Battalion at Old Dominion University. In that role, he mentored and trained students pursuing military leadership careers.
University officials and members of the campus community have expressed deep sorrow over his death, remembering Shah as a dedicated officer, educator, and mentor whose service and leadership had a lasting impact on students and colleagues alike.
Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about the suspect’s motive, and the investigation remains active.