BOSTON, Jan. 14, 2013—The man accused of killing 19-year-old store clerk Joseph Morante allegedly pointed his handgun at the Revere teen’s head even as the mortally wounded youth ran for help, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

ELOSKO BROWN (D.O.B. 2/23/86) was arraigned today in Suffolk Superior Court on indictments charging first-degree murder, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of a firearm  in connection with Morante’s July 31 shooting death.  At the request of Assistant District Attorney Edmond Zabin, chief of the DA’s Homicide Unit, Clerk Magistrate Gary Wilson ordered that Brown be held without bail.

Zabin told the court that Brown is seen on surveillance images captured by multiple businesses as he made his way along Tremont Street to the iWorld Accessories electronics store, where Morante was working alone as a clerk that afternoon.  Surveillance cameras inside the store captured the incident shortly after 1:00 p.m.  After entering the store wearing a backpack, Brown can be seen looking at items inside a display case.  Morante approached Brown and the two had a brief verbal interaction before Morante walked behind a glass display case.

Moments later, Brown allegedly produced a firearm and pointed it at Morante’s chest.  Morante made no motion toward Brown but instead raised his hands, Zabin said.  Though Brown encountered no resistance, he allegedly fired two shots that struck Morante in the torso.

As Morante ran out of the store with the injuries that would claim his life, Brown raised the gun again, this time pointing it in the area of Morante’s head and neck, Zabin told the court.  The gun, however, did not fire.  An unspent round was discovered inside the store where Brown was seen in surveillance images fiddling with the gun.

Brown allegedly stole a quantity of cell phones and a tablet before fleeing the store on foot.

Morante ran to the corner of Tremont and Cunard streets, where he collapsed.  He was transported to Boston Medical Center and pronounced dead from his injuries.

Individuals known to Brown identified him in images that Boston Police homicide detectives retrieved from the store and released to the public.

Kara Hayes is the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate. Brown is represented by attorney Elda James.  He will return to court on March 4.

–30–

All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.