Jamaica Plain Holds Peace Walk Against Violence
Residents marched in mid-September 2026 to honor Quami Clarke, 19, shot dead in 2024, and to call for community unity.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Violence
Jamaica Plain residents held their third annual peace walk in mid-September 2026, starting at Mozart Park and passing through the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments area. The march honored Quami Clarke, who was shot dead on September 23, 2024, between the apartment buildings.
Why it matters
The walk keeps attention on neighborhood safety in Boston, where citywide homicides totaled 24 in 2024 and 28 in 2025, with 27 so far in 2026. Organizers say the event aims to strengthen community bonds in the wake of local violence.
Police arrested Jason Douglas, then 18 and a Quincy resident, four months after Clarke was killed, and he is scheduled to go on trial on a murder charge in May 2027. No homicides have been reported in the area since Clarke's slaying.
The players
Jason Douglas
The 18-year-old Quincy resident arrested four months after the shooting, who is scheduled to stand trial on a murder charge.
The details
Participants tapped tambourines and chanted in English and Spanish for peace and unity as they walked from Mozart Park up Centre Street, a quarter-mile away. The group paused in a Mildred Hailey courtyard to light candles and hold a moment of silence for Clarke and other victims of local violence.
Timeline
September 23, 2024: Quami Clarke was shot dead between the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments buildings.
Four months later: Police arrested suspect Jason Douglas.
Mid-September 2026: The third annual peace walk was held through Jamaica Plain.
May 2027: Douglas is scheduled to go on trial for murder.
Seasonal Patterns
Boston recorded 24 homicides in 2024, a historic low, followed by 28 in 2025 and 27 so far in 2026. The annual peace walk in Jamaica Plain continues a local response that began after the 2024 shooting.
Residents of Jamaica Plain and nearby Hyde Square-Jackson Square have a continuing annual event to join for neighborhood safety and community unity. The walk gives neighbors a regular opportunity to gather and share information about local concerns.
The takeaway
Community gatherings like this one can help neighbors stay connected after a violent loss. Residents interested in participating can watch for the walk to return each fall.
What happens next
Jason Douglas is scheduled to go on trial on a murder charge in May 2027.
Further reading
For more on local trends, see Violence coverage across Boston.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Masslive.
