Prosecutor: “One Gun, One Shooter” in Chelsea Shootings that Killed Teen

BOSTON, March 8, 2016—The evidence gathered thus far on the multiple shooting that left 19-year-old Pablo Villeda dead indicates a single gunman using a single weapon, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s office said today.

EMANUEL MARRERO (D.O.B. 6/3/99) of Lynn was arraigned in Chelsea District Court today on charges of murder, armed assault with intent to murder, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon stemming from the incident for allegedly opening fire at a crowded party, killing Villeda and injuring six other young men and women. At prosecutors’ request, he was held without bail.

Under Massachusetts law, juveniles age 14 or over accused of murder are automatically tried as adults.

Assistant District Attorney Julie Higgins of the DA’s Homicide Unit told the court that the charges stem from an incident in the early morning hours of March 6, when about 50 people were gathered at a party in a vacant three-room apartment on Washington Avenue in Chelsea.

Higgins told the court that Marrero fired multiple shots during that incident. Villeda sustained fatal gunshot wounds, dying of his injuries at Whidden Memorial Hospital. Several others were shot and survived, Higgins said.

The ensuing round-the-clock investigation by Chelsea Police detectives and the Suffolk County State Police Detective Unit has developed eyewitness statements, video surveillance footage, telephone records, and other evidence suggesting “one gun and one shooter – the defendant,” Higgins said.

Conley praised the police investigators assigned to the case – and the civilian witnesses who shared information with them.

“One young man is dead,” Conley said. “Six others, some as young as 15, were nearly killed. Chelsea and State police detectives took this case extremely seriously, and it’s clear the community did as well. The progress we’ve made so far reflects valuable assistance on the street and in the neighborhood.”

Marrero was represented by attorney Jonathan Shapiro. He will return to court on April 8.

 

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