18-year-old Massachusetts college basketball player shot and killed, remembered as kind and hardworking

A Salem State University student was fatally shot in Salem early Wednesday morning, Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker, Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller, and Salem State University President John Keenan announced.

The Salem Police Department received a 911 call at approximately 1:24 a.m. for a report of a shooting in the area of 22 Forest Avenue.

Officers responding to that location found 18-year-old Carl Hens Beliard inside a vehicle suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to Salem Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

The shooting is being investigated by members of the Essex County District Attorney’s Office State Police Detective Unit and detectives from the Salem Police Department. Authorities stated that based on the preliminary investigation, this does not appear to be a random act of violence or that there is any on-going threat to the SSU community. DA Tucker said “This senseless gun violence 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.”

President Keenan stated, “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.”

Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller stated, “Our hearts are very much with the Beliard family and the Salem State University family. Violence such as this has no place in Salem, and we will pursue the perpetrators with all of our ability and determination.”

“On behalf of the City of Salem, our hearts go out to the Beliard family and to the Salem State University community,” said Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo. “I’m grateful to the Salem Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, District Attorney’s office, and SSU Police for all of their swift action in response to this terrible act of violence, and I’m hopeful that their efforts will quickly bring the responsible party to justice for this crime.”

Worcester Mayor Joe Petty released the following statement.

“On behalf of the City of Worcester, I am heartbroken to hear about the tragic loss of 18-year-old Carl Hens Beliard, a North High School graduate and student at Salem State University. Carl was a member of the 2023 State Championship winning basketball team, Carl was a hardworking, kind individual whose life was taken too soon.

“It is every parent’s worst nightmare to lose a child. As a father of three, I simply cannot imagine the pain that the Carl’s family is going through. My sincere condolences and thoughts are with the family at this time. My heart goes out to Carl’s family, teammates, and friends.”