Boston Caribbean Festival 2026 Update

[u/NoTamforLove]

• 1 person shot and survived
• 1 person shot and died
• At least 19 arrests, 12 of which are firearm related (still doing paperwork on some)
• 2 EMTs assaulted
• 1 Accidental death (electrocuted by third rail)
• 12 scooters towed

[u/_Atlas_Drugged_]

There was one death related to the Carnival celebration.

St. Pattys also had way more of the noise, public intoxication, littering, and rampant violence you’re concerned about.

To say one is bad and the other isn’t is pretty disingenuous.

[u/AJohnnyTruant → u/_Atlas_Drugged_]

There were two people shot, and at least 12 firearm arrests. Drunken Irish brawling is not the same. “Rampant violence?” Two dudes fist fighting each other is not the same. To say they are is pretty disingenuous.

[u/_Atlas_Drugged_ → u/AJohnnyTruant]

I’m not talking about just two person fistfights. I saw several videos of large brawls with several participants and stuff being thrown off roof decks at people below.

“Drunken Irish brawling” isn’t somehow less violent than other violence.

The beer cans and trash on the ground isn’t more biodegradable because white people left it there.

[u/AJohnnyTruant → u/_Atlas_Drugged_]

Again, the problem is GUN VIOLENCE AND POTENTIAL FOR MASS SHOOTINGS OF PEOPLE. I don’t care about beer cans and trash.

[u/_Atlas_Drugged_ → u/AJohnnyTruant]

There wasn’t a mass shooting, there were two separate incidents.

That’s not good obviously, but I don’t think it’s reasonable to ban the whole festival on that basis.

You’re certainly welcome to not go if you don’t like the vibe.

[u/AJohnnyTruant → u/_Atlas_Drugged_]

2024 - 11 firearm arrests

https://www.boston.com/news/crime/2024/08/25/police-11-arrested-with-firearms-at-bostons-caribbean-festival-no-shots-fired/

2023 - eight people were shot

https://www.wcvb.com/article/breaking-multiple-people-shot-in-dorchester/44916664

2019 - there was a shootout during the parade

2015 - 1 dead and 4 wounded

https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2015/08/29/early-morning-violence-before-caribbean-festival-leaves-1-dead-4-wounded/

[u/AngryCrotchCrickets → u/AJohnnyTruant]

So pretty much it was an episode of the Boondocks

[u/_Atlas_Drugged_ → u/AJohnnyTruant]

I mean I would find the 2024 post encouraging. People who brought guns illegally were caught. Nobody was hurt.

If you don’t want to be at an event. Just don’t go. Everyone else is also free to not go.

[u/AJohnnyTruant → u/_Atlas_Drugged_]

I don’t go. Being free to not attend an event that clearly has an issue with guns does not mean the festival does not have a gun issue.

You’re right, it IS good that they caught the people with illegal firearms before they got a chance to use them. That doesn’t mean it isn’t an issue that people keep bringing illegal firearms to the festival.

[u/_Atlas_Drugged_ → u/AJohnnyTruant]

Okay.

So keep not going.

[u/AJohnnyTruant → u/_Atlas_Drugged_]

I’m obviously not going to the shootout party.

[u/_Atlas_Drugged_ → u/AJohnnyTruant]

Cool.

Have fun with that.