BOSTON, March 3, 2018—A Somerville man is in custody following his indictment and arrest for the homicide of 15-year-old Jimmy Vasquez in Chelsea last year, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley and Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes said today.

The Suffolk County Grand Jury returned indictments yesterday charging JUAN CARLOS MATOS FIGUEROA, 21, with first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a large-capacity feeding device, and unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm in connection with the Chelsea teen’s fatal shooting on the evening of Jan. 13, 2017.

“This case represents the high level of professionalism, collaboration, and unyielding perseverance that the community can count on from Chelsea Police,” Chief Kyes said. “With State Police detectives assigned to the DA’s office, they were steadfast in their collective efforts to provide justice, closure, and solace for the family of Jimmy Vasquez.”

Figueroa was also indicted for armed assault with intent to murder and assault and battery by means of a firearm for the non-fatal shooting of a second youth, also 15, during the same encounter. He was also indicted for four additional counts of armed assault with intent to murder and four counts of attempted assault and battery by means of a firearm reflecting shots fired at four individuals who were at the scene but not injured.

“Jimmy Vasquez wasn’t involved in gangs, guns, or violence,” DA Conley said. “He wasn’t in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was an innocent young man doing what kids his age have always done – hanging out with his friends on a Friday evening. I hope his family takes some comfort in knowing that Chelsea Police, State Police, and Suffolk prosecutors never forgot him or gave up on his case.”

The evidence gathered by Chelsea Police detectives assigned to Chief Kyes’ Criminal Investigation Division, State troopers assigned to Conley’s office, and prosecutors assigned to the DA’s Gang Unit suggests that Figueroa was among a group that drove to the area of Shurtleff and Bellingham streets and opened fire on Vasquez and his friends before leaving the area. Vasquez was rushed to CHA Everett Hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Following the return of the indictments, State and Chelsea police located Figueroa at a Jacques Street residence and, with the support and assistance of Somerville Police, took him into custody on a warrant out of Suffolk Superior Court, where he will be arraigned Monday.

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