Two men were killed and two others injured when gunfire erupted at a child’s birthday party at the Saint John the Baptist Club in Carver, Massachusetts, on January 25, 2026. Police arrested a 23-year-old suspect shortly after the shooting at the social club on Silva Street.
Carver police received multiple 911 calls at 7:22 p.m. reporting the shooting at 53 Silva Street. Four men were found suffering from gunshot wounds when first responders arrived at the scene.
Benjamin Cowart, 27, was pronounced dead at the scene. Jalen Pina, 20, was transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Plymouth, where he was later pronounced dead.
Benjamin’s parents shared in a GoFundMe that he was cherished beyond measure and will forever be remembered for his kindness, his vibrant spirit, and the influence he had on everyone who crossed his path. The GoFundMe will help cover funeral and memorial costs.
According to a GoFundMe fundraiser, Jalen Pina was a rapper who went by the rap name Buku Tensai. He was said to be a beautiful soul who “slowly matured into what was undoubtedly going to be a man of great stature, a man that would take the shirt off his back for you, a man that put family above all, a man that put others before himself. A man of GREATNESS.”
A 28-year-old victim was taken to Tufts Medical Center. A 32-year-old victim was transported to South Shore Hospital for treatment. Both injured victims have not been identified and were reported to be in critical condition.
Nicholas Meuse, 23, was arrested after initially fleeing the scene. Police took him into custody down the street from the social club. Meuse was charged with two counts of murder, two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, and multiple gun charges.
He was scheduled to be arraigned on January 26, at Wareham District Court, but the courts were closed due to a snowstorm.
Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz and Carver Police Chief Marc Duphily addressed the incident at a press conference.
“This is not a random act,” Cruz said. “There was one shooter, that individual is in custody, and this was not a random act.”
All individuals involved in the shooting were known to each other, according to law enforcement officials. Cruz emphasized there was no ongoing threat to the public.
The shooting occurred at a birthday party for a seven-year-old child. Between 20 and 30 people were present at the time of the incident.
A medical helicopter was requested to transport victims from the scene. Massachusetts State Police and Carver police responded to the emergency calls.
The investigation remains ongoing, with Massachusetts State Police and Carver police working together to gather evidence and interview witnesses.
Carver is a Plymouth County town located approximately 45 miles south of Boston.
The Saint John the Baptist Club serves as an event space available for private rentals, including family gatherings and celebrations.
The suspect’s arraignment will take place at Wareham District Court, where he will be formally informed of the charges against him and enter a plea. A judge will also determine bail conditions or whether the defendant will be held without bail pending trial.
District Attorney Cruz and Chief Duphily emphasized their commitment to holding those responsible for the violence accountable. Their joint investigation aims to build a comprehensive case documenting the sequence of events and establishing clear evidence of criminal responsibility.
Although Carver is a small community, this isn’t the first instance of gun violence there in the past six months. In August, 2025, a woman was shot near Sampson’s Pond and taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.