BOSTON, March 7, 2016—Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley and Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes tonight announced the arrest of a juvenile in the shooting death of 19-year-old Pablo Villeda.
Chelsea Police detectives and State troopers assigned to Conley’s office this evening placed the 16-year-old Lynn youth under arrest on a murder charge stemming from Villeda’s death early yesterday morning. He will be arraigned tomorrow in Chelsea District Court. Additional charges are likely to follow, police and prosecutors said.
Though juveniles accused of murder are automatically charged as adults under Massachusetts law, authorities are withholding his name in an abundance of caution until a criminal complaint issues tomorrow morning. The arraignment is expected to be open to the public.
“I want the community to know that Chelsea Police approached this case with urgency and professionalism from the moment it was called in,” Kyes said. “We cannot and we will not tolerate this level of gun violence, especially when it leaves our young people dead and injured.”
“Almost every open homicide is one witness away from being solved,” Conley said. “We’re grateful to those who stepped forward in this case, but our investigation is still very active. Anyone who has additional information on Mr. Villeda’s death or the shootings of six young men and women is urged to share it with police.”
Chelsea Police officers responded to the area of 120 Washington Ave. following multiple 911 calls for a disturbance at about 2:40 yesterday morning. On arrival, they found Villeda gravely injured and seven other victims between the ages of 15 and 22 suffering injuries that ranged from minor to very serious. Officers immediately began providing medical aid to the victims and called for emergency medical services.
Villeda was transported to Whidden Memorial Hospital, where he died. The surviving victims were treated at the Whidden and Massachusetts General Hospital.
The preliminary investigation by Chelsea Police detectives and State troopers assigned to Conley’s office suggests that the victims and others had attended a party in a vacant apartment when the shots were fired. Troopers from the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, Ballistics Section, Revere barracks, and other assets are also assisting in the investigation.
The investigation into the multiple shooting remains very active and anyone with information is asked to contact the Suffolk County State Police Detective Unit at 617-727-8817 or Chelsea Police detectives at 617-466-4805. Tipsters may also call the 24-hour CrimeStoppers tip line at 617-466-4880 or submit tips through the Chelsea Police Department’s website at www.chelseapolice.com.
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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
