2 Killed and 2 Critically Injured in Shooting at Child's Birthday Party in Mass. By Escher Walcott 16

A 23-year-old man has been charged with murder in connection with a shooting that left two people dead at a child’s birthday party in Carver, Massachusetts.

At around 7:21 p.m. local time on Saturday, Jan. 24, police responded to reports that “multiple people had been shot” at Saint John the Baptist Club, a social club on Silva Street, where a child’s birthday party was being held, Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz said in a statement.

“Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene and located four victims, two of whom were pronounced dead,” said Cruz.

The deceased victims were identified as 27-year-old Benjamin Cowart and 20-year-old Jalen Pina. Cowart died at the scene, while Pina died from his injuries at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth, Cruz confirmed.

The two remaining victims are a 28-year-old man and a 32-year-old man. They were both transported to local hospitals, where they remain in critical condition, the Carver Journal reported.

The suspect shooter has been identified as 23-year-old Nicholas Meuse.

“While on scene, Carver Police located the suspected shooter, Nicholas Meuse, 23, down the street from the Saint John the Baptist Club,” said Cruz. “Meuse was arrested on scene and transported to the Carver Police Department.”

Meuse is scheduled to be arraigned in Wareham District Court on two counts each of murder and armed assault with intent to murder and multiple gun charges, per Cruz.

According to CBS News, Meuse is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, Jan. 26, and Tuesday, Jan. 27.

The shooting appeared to be a targeted attack, according to the Carver Police Department (CPD). The events leading up to the shooting and Meuse’s connection with the victims have not been shared at this time.

“Officers are on scene investigating an incident on Silva Street. This does not appear to be a random act, and there is no threat to the public,” the CPD announced on Facebook. “A person of interest has been detained.”

Silva Street was closed after the shooting. The Massachusetts State Police (MSP) and CPD are investigating the incident.

Pina, one of the deceased victims, was an aspiring rapper and described as a “beautiful soul” on a GoFundMe fundraiser. The page has raised over $14,000 in donations with a goal of $18,000 to cover funeral costs. According to his Instagram, Pina performed a show one day before he was killed.

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“Following Saturday night’s tragic events, I want to thank the Carver community for your patience, cooperation, and support as officers and investigators worked through a difficult and emotional scene,” Carver Police Chief Marc Duphily said on Facebook. “…The responsible individual was quickly taken into custody … Our thoughts remain with the victims and their families.”

PEOPLE has reached out to the CPD and MSP for further comment.