BOSTON, Jan. 22, 2015— A Fall River man will serve up to two decades in prison after a jury convicted him in a non-fatal shooting outside a West End night club, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

A Suffolk Superior Court jury deliberated for less than three hours before finding RUBEN PINA (D.O.B. 11/11/83) guilty of armed assault with intent to murder, aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and unlawful possession of ammunition in connection with a non-fatal shooting in the early morning hours of Dec. 2, 2012.  Judge Christopher Muse today sentenced Pina to 15 to 20 years in state prison followed by eight years of probation. 

During the six-day trial, Assistant District Attorney David Bradley of the DA’s Senior Trial Unit presented more than 100 exhibits and the testimony of approximately 30 witnesses to prove that Pina was one of two gunmen who shot and injured two victims in the area of Friend Street just as bars began closing at approximately 2:00 a.m. on Dec. 2, 2012.  Pina shot one victim in the head and shoulder; the second victim was shot multiple times in the legs by the other gunman.

A Boston Police officer working a detail in the area heard the gunshots and rushed with his cruiser’s lights and sirens activated toward the scene of the shooting just in time to observe a man later identified as Pina fire upon two individuals and then run to a black Acura in which he fled.  The officer was able to stop the vehicle on Canal Street.  However, as he waited inside his cruiser for additional officers to arrive, a gray Nissan Altima driven by ETSON ALVES (D.O.B. 4/1/88) pulled up alongside the cruiser, blocking the officer from exiting the vehicle.  The Acura then sped off, Bradley proved.

As the officer pursued the Acura, Alves repeatedly pulled in front of the cruiser in an attempt to block the officer’s pursuit before he lost sight of the Acura inside the 93 South tunnel.

Other marked cruisers were able to stop the Altima and found Alves in the driver’s seat with and three passengers in the vehicle.  Inside the vehicle was a digital camera with images of Alves, Pina, and others at a bar immediately before the shooting.

Officers interviewed the registered owner of the Acura – DAMEK BARROS (D.O.B. 8/10/87) – who untruthfully claimed that he was driving the vehicle on the night of the shooting and that he was not stopped by police after leaving a nightclub.

Surveillance images in the area of the shooting captured Pina entering and later exiting the Greatest Bar alongside Alves, Barros, and others.  Shortly after Pina exited the bar, the surveillance images showed, ran toward the victim and shot him.

Alves and Barros pleaded guilty for their attempts to interfere with police investigating the shooting prior to Pina’s trial.  Alves pleaded guilty on Jan. 14 to assault with a dangerous weapon, accessory after the fact, witness intimidation, and negligent operation of a motor vehicle; Muse sentenced him to 2 ½ years in the house of the correction with 10 months and six days to serve and the remainder of the sentence suspended during the course of a five-year probationary period.  Barros pleaded guilty on Feb. 3, 2014, to charges of accessory after the fact, witness intimidation, and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.  Judge Janet Sanders sentenced him to 2 ½ years in the house of correction with 18 months to serve and the remaining portion of the sentence suspended during a three-year probationary period.

Assistant District Attorney David Bradley prosecuted the case with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Kevin McCarthy.  Pina was represented by Scott Bradley, Alves by Christopher Belezos, and Barros by Alim Adatia.

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