2 killed, 2 injured in shooting at child’s party in Carver, suspect charged with murder

Crime

After a preliminary investigation, law enforcement officials say that the shooting does not appear to be a random act.

By Darin Zullo

January 25, 2026 | 10:50 AM

1 minute to read

Two men were killed and two more were injured Saturday night in a shooting at a Carver social club, according to law enforcement officials.

Nicholas Meuse, 23, was taken into custody as a suspect in the shooting, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz and Carver Police Chief Marc Duphily said in a statement. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Wareham District Court on two counts each of murder, armed assault with intent to murder, and multiple gun charges.

Benjamin Cowart, 27, and Jalen Pina, 20, were killed in the shooting, according to Cruz and Duphily. Two more male victims, not named but aged 28 and 32, were hospitalized.

At about 7:21 p.m., Carver police received several 911 calls reporting that multiple people had been shot at Saint John the Baptist Club, a social club located at 53 Silva St. A child’s birthday party was being held there at the time, law enforcement officials said.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found four victims, two of whom died, according to Cruz and Duphily. Cowart was pronounced dead at the scene, and Pina was taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth, where he died from his injuries.

The 28-year-old victim was taken to Tufts Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, according to law enforcement officials. The 32-year-old victim was taken to South Shore Hospital for treatment, with no further details available on his condition.

Carver police located Meuse, the suspected shooter, down the street from the social club, Cruz and Duphily said. He was arrested and taken to the Carver Police Department.

The shooting does not appear to be a random act, and there is no threat to the public at this time, Carver police said Saturday on Facebook. Officers closed Silva Street and asked the public to avoid the area while they investigate.

Massachusetts State Police and Carver police are actively investigating the shooting. No further information is available as of Sunday morning.