On Monday, November 24, 2025, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that Allen Curry, a 16-year-old from Boston, pleaded not guilty to a series of grave charges stemming from a fatal shooting that rocked the Mattapan neighborhood in July 2024. The event, which claimed the life of 17-year-old Christian Cousins—a Stoughton High School senior—has left a community grappling with grief and questions, even as the legal process begins to unfold.
Curry, who was arrested just days earlier on November 21 in Jamaica Plain, now faces charges including first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, assault and battery with a firearm, and carrying a firearm without a license, according to reports from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and corroborated by local police statements. During his arraignment in Suffolk Superior Court, Curry was ordered held without bail, a decision that underscores the severity of the allegations and the tragic circumstances surrounding the case.
The shooting occurred on July 5, 2024, in the area of Gladeside Avenue and Donwood Terrace, a residential stretch in Mattapan that is no stranger to the challenges of urban violence but was nonetheless stunned by the youth of those involved. According to police, officers responded that afternoon to reports of gunfire and discovered two victims inside a vehicle: Cousins, who was suffering from critical gunshot wounds, and an unidentified female victim who had also been shot. While Cousins was rushed to the hospital, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The female victim’s injuries, though serious, were described as non-life-threatening.
Video surveillance footage from the scene played a pivotal role in the investigation. As detailed in court filings, the footage allegedly shows Curry emerging from a wooded area near the intersection, approaching the parked vehicle, and opening fire on the occupants. Investigators later learned that Curry and Cousins had planned to meet that day, arranging the encounter through Snapchat communications. In a detail that prosecutors argue points to consciousness of guilt, Curry deactivated his Snapchat account less than an hour after the shooting occurred.
The days and weeks following the shooting were marked by a painstaking investigation, described by authorities as both “long and thorough.” The Suffolk County District Attorney, Kevin Hayden, addressed the public’s anguish, stating, “This was a long and thorough investigation of a homicide made particularly tragic by the young ages of the victims and, now, of the person accused. I hope the family and friends of Christian Cousins can find some measure of relief in knowing that someone will answer for this terrible act of violence.”
For the family of Christian Cousins, the arrest brought a measure of relief, but also a renewed wave of sorrow. Cousins, remembered by classmates and teachers at Stoughton High School as a promising senior with a bright future, became yet another young victim in a city still struggling to confront the roots of youth violence. The female victim, whose identity has not been disclosed by authorities, continues to recover from her injuries. The community has rallied around both families, holding vigils and calling for renewed efforts to address the cycle of violence that has claimed too many young lives.
During Curry’s arraignment, his defense attorney painted a picture of a teenager with deep community ties. Curry is a student at English High School and, according to his lawyer, has been employed at a local Market Basket grocery store for the past three years. These details, while not diminishing the gravity of the charges, have prompted some in the community to reflect on the complex social factors that can lead young people down perilous paths. The defense’s strategy, at least at this early stage, appears to be centered on Curry’s youth, his work history, and his status as a student—factors that may eventually play a role in the court’s considerations.
The legal process is still in its early stages. Curry has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is scheduled to return to court in December 2025. As the investigation continues, authorities have not ruled out the possibility of further developments. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and Boston Police continue to urge anyone with additional information to come forward, emphasizing that the pursuit of justice for Cousins and the injured victim remains ongoing.
The case has also reignited broader debates within Boston about youth violence, the proliferation of firearms, and the responsibilities of social media platforms in facilitating—and sometimes concealing—dangerous encounters. The detail that Curry and Cousins arranged their meeting through Snapchat, followed by the rapid deactivation of Curry’s account, has drawn attention from both law enforcement and community advocates. Some are asking whether more robust monitoring or intervention by social media companies could help prevent similar tragedies in the future, while others warn against overreach and the potential for privacy violations.
Meanwhile, the Mattapan neighborhood has been left to reckon with the aftermath. Residents describe a mix of fear, frustration, and a determination to support one another. Local leaders have called for increased investment in youth programs, mental health services, and community policing initiatives, arguing that only a holistic approach can address the root causes of such violence. The story of Christian Cousins and Allen Curry, they say, is not just about a single tragic encounter, but about the urgent need to create safer pathways for all of Boston’s youth.
In the words of District Attorney Hayden, the tragedy is “made particularly tragic by the young ages of the victims and, now, of the person accused.” It’s a sentiment echoed by many in Mattapan and beyond, as the city waits for answers and hopes for healing. As the legal process unfolds and the investigation continues, the community’s resolve to honor the memory of Christian Cousins—and to prevent future tragedies—remains unwavering.