BOSTON, Oct. 22, 2014—The man charged with fatally shooting 36-year-old Juan Carlos Rodriguez during an altercation early Saturday was ordered held without bail at his arraignment today, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

ANTONIO RIVERA (D.O.B. 10/2/91) of East Boston was arraigned this morning in Chelsea District Court on charges of murder and unlawful possession of a firearm.  At the request of Assistant District Attorney Tara Burdman, Judge Matthew Nestor ordered Rivera held without bail and additionally ordered him held for violating the terms of his probation for a May conviction in an unrelated drug case.

Burdman told the court that Rivera was at the French Naturalization Club on Spencer Avenue in Chelsea early Saturday morning along with family members who had gathered after the death of another relative.  Rodriguez was also at the club with a separate group when an argument broke out between the two groups.  Rivera pulled out a gun and shot Rodriguez in the torso before fleeing the scene, prosecutors said. Rodriguez was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Chelsea Police and State Police assigned to Conley’s office identified Rivera as the shooter through witness statements and surveillance images.  He surrendered at Chelsea Police headquarters yesterday – a day after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Rivera is represented by attorney James Coviello.  He will return to court Nov. 13.

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