Cambridge City Employee Killed In Early Morning Shooting

CAMBRIDGE, MA — A Public Works employee was fatally shot early Saturday morning, prompting an active homicide investigation by local and state law enforcement officials.

Resident Xavier Bautista, 32, was shot shortly before 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, in the area of Broadway and Norfolk Street, according to Cambridge Police and the Middlesex District Attorney's Office.

Cambridge Emergency Communications received a 911 call at approximately 5:30 a.m. reporting a person lying on the ground near the intersection. Cambridge Police, Fire, and EMS responded to the scene, where Bautista was pronounced dead after first responders determined he had suffered a gunshot wound. A pedestrian discovered Bautista's body and called 911.

The fatal shooting remains under investigation by the Cambridge Police Department, the Middlesex District Attorney's Office, and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office. Authorities had not announced any arrests or identified any suspects as of Monday morning. Cambridge Police also said investigators do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public.

"The City of Cambridge is heartbroken to share that a member of our Public Works Department was tragically shot and killed early this morning in the area of Broadway and Norfolk Street while off-duty," City Manager Yi-An Huang and Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui said in a joint statement.

The pair described Bautista as "a valued colleague and beloved by his family and friends."

"Gun violence has absolutely no place in our community. We are unwavering in our commitment to keeping Cambridge safe, and we will do everything in our power to support the investigation and ensure accountability," Huang and Siddiqui said. "The city will continue to deploy every necessary resource and will fully support our law enforcement partners as they work to determine the circumstances associated with the shooting and to bring justice to those affected."

Cambridge officials also plan to host a community meeting later this week to provide updates on the investigation as they become available and answer residents' questions.

A SupportNow fundraiser has also been established to assist Bautista's family with funeral expenses and other immediate needs following his death. As of Monday morning, it has received nearly $3,000 in donations.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the police at 617-349-3300.

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