Residents React to Dedham Shooting

Despite a shooting on Friday on the VFW Parkway on the Dedham/ Boston line, many residents said still feel safe in town.

While walking down High Street, Bill Gillespie, a Dedham resident said the news of the shooting “was shocking” but said he never questions his safety while in town.

“I do think the whole thing was surprising, but I’ve been coming here for 25 years and it wouldn’t stop me from coming back,” he said.

Dedham readers shared similar reactions when Patch asked if they consider Dedham to be dangerous.

“I don't consider Dedham to be dangerous… what a ridiculous question to ask,” Michelle Willey, a Dedham resident said on Patch.  “I don't think it will change anyone’s feelings on their town. It’s over now, let it go. Life goes on.”

Christopher Devaney, a Stoughton resident, who used to work in Dedham for years, said the town doesn’t feel as safe as it once did. 

“I feel like Dedham’s going down hill,” he said while standing in the Municipal lot in Dedham Square.  “It’s gotten worse over the years. It has definitely changed.” 

An elderly customer standing outside of Mocha Java, who asked not to be named, said Dedham is safe, but the majority of the crime in town comes from Boston.

State Police said the victim, a 32 year old female from Dedham, was driving her car northbound on the VFW Parkway at around 4:45 p.m. when another vehicle shot at her car several times.

The victim drove herself to the Dedham Police Department, and she was then transported to Beth Israel Hospital.

State troopers Friday night arrested Marcel Reed, 20, of Roslindale and Andrew Renna, 21, of Mattapan. Both men were charged with assault with intent to murder and assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon.  State Police told the Boston Globe that the suspects knew the victim.