Carver woke up Sunday morning carrying the weight of a tragedy that unfolded at what was supposed to be a joyful child’s birthday celebration. Two young men are dead, two others are recovering from gunshot wounds, and a quiet community is left searching for answers after a shooting inside a local event hall.
The violence erupted around 7:22 p.m. Saturday at the Saint John the Baptist Club on Silva Street. Police say they rushed to the scene after frantic calls reported gunfire at the crowded venue, where families and children had gathered for a party.
When officers arrived, they found chaos. Four people had been shot. Twenty-seven-year-old Benjamin Cowart was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz. The loss was immediate and devastating.
Another victim, 20-year-old Jalen Pina, was rushed to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Plymouth. Despite doctors’ efforts, he later died from his injuries, turning a night of celebration into one of mourning.
Two other men survived the shooting but suffered serious trauma. A 28-year-old man was taken to Tufts Medical Center with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. A 32-year-old man was transported to South Shore Hospital, where he remains under care. Authorities have not released updates on his condition.
Investigators say the suspect fled the scene in the moments after the shooting, sparking an urgent search. Carver police later located and arrested 23-year-old Nicholas Meuse. Officials stressed that the quick arrest helped ease fears in the community.
Meuse is now facing severe charges, including two counts of murder, two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, and multiple firearms offenses. He is expected to be arraigned in Wareham District Court, where the full scope of the allegations will be laid out.
Police emphasized that the shooting does not appear to have been random and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. Still, the emotional damage runs deep. A place meant for laughter and cake became a crime scene, and a children’s party became a memory no family will ever forget.
The investigation remains active, with Massachusetts State Police working alongside Carver officers. More details are expected as authorities piece together what led to the deadly outburst.
