THE BODY of Ciaran Conneely, as he was known here, was found early on Monday morning outside the three-floor condominium complex where he lived in the Dorchester section of Boston.
Police suspect Mr Conneely (36) was shot when he tried to resist a robbery. Detectives found cash in his pockets but are speculating that the would-be robber or robbers shot him and ran off empty-handed.
Police believe he was attacked just before he could enter his home. No suspects have yet been identified.
The area where Mr Conneely lived and died, Adams Corner, had hosted an Irish heritage festival on Sunday, which he had attended. He then spent the evening drinking at local pubs.
His neighbour, an off-duty firefighter, found him lying on the footpath.
The firefighter checked for a pulse but found none.
The shooting has shocked neighbours because the area is considered safe. Police said it has been at least 15 years since an Irish immigrant was murdered in Boston.
Mr Conneely was an affable man, known to friends as Kiwi. His sister Deirdre also lives in Boston. Yesterday she was making funeral arrangements for her brother.
Michael Lonergan, the Irish Consul General in Boston, is assisting the family.