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Police seek black van in connection with murder of Northeastern student

By adamg on Wed, 05/21/2008 - 8:44pm

Boston Police report they want to talk to anybody who saw a black van on or near Parker Hill Avenue between 2 and 3 a.m. yesterday - about the time that Northeastern senior Rebecca Payne was being shot repeatedly in her apartment there:

Boston Police Superintendent Bruce Holloway stated, "Investigators have not yet determined whether or not Rebecca knew her assailant. Detectives will continue to follow the evidence wherever it takes us and are actively pursuing all information that comes forward."

Police have stepped up patrols on Mission Hill and are distributing brochures on how to contact police anonymously. Police say that while several nearby residents heard gunshots, none reported them to police - Payne's body was found several hours later by a building worker.

Anonymous tips can be made by calling 1-800-494-TIPS or texting "TIP" to CRIME (27463).

Earlier:
More discussion of the case.

Neighborhoods: 
Roxbury
Topics: 
Crime
Free tagging: 
Mission Hill
Rebecca Payne


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Comments

By Lyss on Wed, 05/21/2008 - 10:28pm.

Here's what bothers me:

Councilor Michael P. Ross, who lives about five houses away from the complex, said Mission Hill is a police-friendly neighborhood with an active crime-watch group that meets regularly with law enforcement officials.

"It's the kind of neighborhood where when [residents] see something that is not right, they're not afraid to pick up the phone and call the Police Department," Ross said. "There is a strong dialogue among the community and police."

yet....

Some neighbors told investigators that they heard gunshots sometime around midnight, but that they did not call 911, according to the two law enforcement officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Driscoll confirmed that at least one witness had heard gunshots.

Although some neighbors heard the sounds of gunshots overnight, police said, no one called 911.

If you heard gunshots in your building, wouldn't you call the police?

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By SwirlyGrrl on Thu, 05/22/2008 - 7:25am.

Like maybe these neighbors were stoking their gas furnace?

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By Zumbi de Roxbury on Mon, 05/26/2008 - 4:27pm.

I would say that it's not only in Roxbury, Dorchester, Charlestown and Southie where some people are reluctant to call the police. But I would guess that since a bunch of Northeastern students are around the complex, something is being left out of the story. N.U. has censored/filtered negative press for many years. Gotta keep the cash registers dinging. Also,in the past, they have at N.U. during orientations, instructed students to mind their own business. I know because I have heard such statements from proctors who spread their feelings about the surrounding community.

All of the people who heard the shots or precursor and did not call should take a moment to meditate on this. Maybe they will understand that they are not so superior afterall and strive to be better. Paying tuition (or having it paid) does not make you a responsible member of humanity.

I've lived in Roxbury (which by the way is a community, not a ghetto) quite a few years. When something comes up and someone is in danger, we, in my immediate neighborhood, will act because we know the cost of inaction. However, we are being overrun by all types of extraneous forces ebing driven by "development" at any cost to us who are here.

Belated condolences to the young victim's family.

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By stephencaldwell on Tue, 05/27/2008 - 3:23am.

Um, what?

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By Ned Devine on Thu, 05/22/2008 - 3:00am.

RIP and condolences to her family and friends.

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