Boston has a long history of mob, mafia and gang violence. While certainly not the most dangerous city in the world, it has some legendary criminal history. Mixed within the variety of violent acts that are a result of organized crime in the city are a couple of restaurant massacres, one of which is famously unsolved.
The Charlestown 99 Restaurant Massacre
On November 7, 1995, a group of men was sitting in a booth at the Charlestown 99 restaurant. At just before 1:30 p.m., the establishment was packed with roughly 50 diners and the men were about to cause chaos. The men began yelling. Soon after, two of them, father and son Damian and Anthony Clemente, pulled out guns and fired about 13 shots into their five companions. Four of them died and the fifth was seriously injured, though he refused to testify against the now convicted shooters.
The Blackfriars Restaurant Massacre
On June 28, 1978, five men were sitting in the Blackfriars disco after hours. Four of them were known criminals. The fifth was then Channel 7 new anchorman John A. Kelly. At least two gunmen entered the restaurant and rounded up the men. A game of backgammon was famously left abandoned and sat pristinely at the bloody crime scene. All five men were shot to death after being gathered in the office. They were found later by the janitor. Though several suspects were questioned, tried and acquitted and gangster James "Whitey" Bulger was implicated, the murder remains unsolved.
Organized crime has evolved in the city over the years. It is doubtful that it will ever be eradicated, but the days of gangland style shootings seem to be dwindling. Nonetheless, it is probably a good idea to keep your head down in a restaurant if you hear people arguing. I know I will.
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