32-year-old Rhode Island man gunned down in Massachusetts leaves behind, girlfriend, 5-year-old son

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Cambridge Police Commissioner Pauline Wells have confirmed the ongoing investigation into a fatal shooting that occurred in Cambridge.

Shortly before 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, Cambridge Emergency Communications received a call about a person laying on the ground near the intersection of Broadway and Norfolk Street. Members of Cambridge Police, Fire, and ProEMS were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, Paramedics from the Cambridge Fire Department declared the individual deceased on-scene. It was apparent that the victim had suffered a gunshot wound.

The preliminary investigation suggests that the victim, identified as 32-year-old Xavier Bautista from Rhode Island, was shot shortly before 4:30 a.m. his body was located by a pedestrian at around 5:30 a.m. who called 911.

According to a GoFundMe fundraiser, Bautista was known for “his playfulness, his huge smile, & his unconditional love for his family & friends. You couldn’t be serious around Xavier. He brought so much joy into our lives, and the world is a dimmer place without him in it.”

He leaves behind his girlfriend and their 5-year-old son.

The City of Cambridge stated that Bautista was a member of their Public Works Department.

There is an active investigation into the circumstances of the shooting being conducted by the Cambridge Police Department, Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, and Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Cambridge Police Department at (617) 349-3300.

Anonymous tips can be shared with the Cambridge Police Department through phone, text or e-mail. Instructions for doing so are available on the CPD website. www.cambridgepolice.org