The murders of two Massachusetts doctors has shocked their South Boston neighbors as well as their colleagues.



Before 49-year-old Dr. Richard Field died Friday night, he sent a text message to a friend for help, according to the Boston Globe. At 8:35 p.m., police arrived at Field's luxury apartment at the Macallen Building on Dorchester Avenue.

Police said when they arrived, a man named Bampumim Teixeira, 30, of Chelsea, fired at them at the door.

Officers fired back and Teixeira was shot. He was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

When officers entered the residence, Field and his fiancee, Dr. Lina Bolanos, 38, were found dead.

"Everybody’s devastated. A lot of people knew the couple that was murdered," said Marsha MacLean, who works in the building.



North Shore Pain Management released a statement about Field, who was a doctor at the practice.

"Dr. Field was a guiding vision ... and was instrumental in the creation of this practice," read the statement. "He was a valued member of the medical community and a tremendous advocate for his patients. His tragic and sudden passing leaves an inescapable void in all of us."

Field also worked at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary released a statement addressing the death of Bolanos, who worked there as a doctor. The hospital's CEO John Fernandez said, "[she] was an outstanding pediatric anesthesiologist and a wonderful colleague, in the prime of both her career and life."

A separate statement from Mass. Eye and Ear said that "Lina [...] was warm and caring with both parents and the children she treated, creating a sense of calm even while managing the most stressful cases. And she was the type of colleague that people were drawn to, with close personal friendships spanning the entire Mass. Eye and Ear community [...] . Everyone at Mass. Eye and Ear really loved her. It is desperately hard for all of us to fathom that our friend who never failed to brighten our days is no longer with us."

Harvard Medical School said in a statement that its "community is deeply saddened" and that its "deepest sympathy goes out to [the victim's] families."

While police try to determine the motive for the slaying, neighbors are questioning how Teixeira gained access to the 11th floor of the building.

"The building is really secure, non-residents shouldn’t be able to get up there," said resident Richard Pope.

Authorities believe that the victims and Teixeira knew each other.

Teixeira had previously been convicted of two larcenies, both involving passing notes demanding money at the same bank. No weapons were used in the previous incidents.

He is scheduled to be arraigned soon, but the Suffolk County DA's office said that the time and place will be determined after conferring with medical staff as the suspect currently remains hospitalized.

Multiple charges are expected to be filed against Teixeira.