A Salem State University student was fatally shot on the edge of campus early Wednesday during the North Shore city’s massive Halloween celebration, officials said.
Carl-Hens Beliard, 18, was found suffering from gunshot wounds inside a vehicle near 22 Forest Ave. after police received a 911 call at 1:24 a.m. reporting a shooting in that area, according to a statement from Essex District Attorney Paul F. Tucker; Police Chief Lucas Miller; Mayor Dominick Pangallo; and the university’s president, John Keenan.
Beliard, a freshman forward on the school’s men’s basketball team, was taken to Salem Hospital, where he died.
Authorities said they do not believe the killing was random and that there is no ongoing threat to the campus.
“As both the Salem State president and a college dad, this tragedy is heartbreaking for all in our community and every parent’s worst nightmare,” Keenan said in the statement.
Tucker said the killing “is tragic not only for the victim’s family but for the SSU community and beyond.”
“State Police detectives assigned to my office are working closely with the Salem Police Department and Salem State University officials to identify and bring the person responsible to justice,” Tucker said.
Beliard graduated this year from North High School in Worcester, where he played on the varsity basketball team that won the Division 1 state championship. At a May meeting of the Worcester City Council, Mayor Joseph M. Petty presented team members with keys to the city for their achievement.
Beliard also made the high school’s honor roll in the second quarter of his senior year.
The team defeated Needham 73-64 at Tsongas Arena in Lowell on March 19 to claim the title after a 24-2 season, according to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
At a rally celebrating the victory one week later, Beliard, the team’s only senior, said the championship felt “like a dream come true.”
“Ever since I started playing basketball, I always wanted to win a championship,” Beliard told the newspaper. “It’s an amazing feeling.”
Beliard told the Telegram he planned to study exercise science in college and eventually pursue a doctorate in physical therapy. He also spoke of the team’s camaraderie on and off the court.
“We have a lot of chemistry on the team and that’s how we got so far, that’s why we’re here right now,” he said. “We hang out outside of basketball. We’re all playing basketball. It’s really like a brotherhood.”
North High Principal Sam FanFan said Beliard’s death was “a devastating loss to our community.”
“Our counselors at the school have been here to talk and support anyone who needs help processing what has happened,” Fanfan said in an email to families Wednesday. “I encourage anyone who needs support to please speak with one of our counselors or a trusted adult at the school.”
“Our deepest thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of our former student who are processing this unthinkable loss,” the principal added. “The North High community is here to support one another during this difficult time.”
Worcester schools Superintendent Rachel H. Monárrez said she was “devastated” to learn of Beliard’s death.
“Carl was an accomplished athlete whose life ended just as it was just beginning,” Monárrez said in a statement. “I cannot imagine the pain of the student’s family. The Worcester Public Schools has counselors available and we are all here to support one another. Our deepest condolences are with the family during this very difficult time.”
John R. Ellement of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
There has been a shooting on Forrester Ave near Lussier Street in Salem. There is an ongoing police investigation. Traffic is being diverted. At this time, it appears that there is no ongoing danger to the public.
— Salem MA Police (@SalemMAPolice) November 1, 2023
Jeremy C. Fox can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @jeremycfox.
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