BOSTON, March 11, 2015—Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans and Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley today announced three arrests in connection with the shooting death of Ryan Morrissey last year.

Based on evidence developed during the course of an ongoing Suffolk County Grand Jury investigation, Boston Police last night arrested JULIO BAEZ (D.O.B. 2/28/91) of Charlestown on charges of murder for Morrissey’s homicide and armed assault with intent to murder for shooting another man, age 19, who was wounded during the shooting but survived his injuries. Baez was held without bail at his arraignment today in Charlestown Municipal Court.

A short time ago, homicide detectives arrested DANILO SOTO (D.O.B. 7/10/93) of Dorchester and identified ALEXANDER SOTO (D.O.B. 9/6/97) of Charlestown, who was already in custody on an unrelated matter, as a third suspect. These two men are not related to one another. Both are expected to be arraigned on charges identical to Baez’ tomorrow in Charlestown court.

“A little over four months ago, a young man by the name of Ryan Morrissey  was simply minding his own business, hanging out with friends and doing what kids his age do when he was mistakenly targeted and gunned down outside of a convenience store in Charlestown by a suspect intent on causing hurt and harm to another.” Commissioner Evans said. “For the past four months, BPD Homicide detectives, working closely with our partners in the District Attorney’s office, have worked around the clock in our shared efforts to bring those responsible to justice. To say the least, this was a case of mistaken identity with tragic consequences but, thankfully, those responsible will be held accountable. Today, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Morrissey family and it is our sincere hope that the news of today’s arrest will provide for them some small measure of comfort and relief.”

“Detectives on the street and prosecutors in the grand jury built the case piece by piece, day by day, until we reached this point,” DA Conley said. “Some cases are made in days and others over a period of years, but none of them fall through the cracks.  As with this case, every single one gets our best efforts.”

At about 9:40 p.m. on Nov. 5, Boston Police responded to an outdoor scene in the area of 274 Main St. in Charlestown for a report of a person shot. On arrival, they found the two victims, who were transported to Massachusetts General Hospital; Morrissey succumbed to his injuries on Nov. 9.

Though the evidence at the scene was scant – a frequent problem in outdoor shootings where gunmen leave no evidence – detectives and prosecutors assigned to the homicide units of the Boston Police Department and Suffolk DA’s office have been gathering and analyzing surveillance images from nearby businesses, phone records, cell tower records, and other evidence for the past four months.

Those efforts on the street and in the Suffolk County Grand Jury revealed that Morrissey and the surviving victim were standing outside a convenience store on Main Street that night when two men in hooded sweatshirts approached, brandished firearms, and began firing at the victims before fleeing to a car that was waiting on Salem Street. The investigation revealed that these two men had previously walked past the store a few moments earlier.

The waiting car was a gray Acura registered to Baez’ mother. Baez was behind the wheel, prosecutors say, and struck another vehicle while speeding away from the scene. When Boston Police found the vehicle, it had damage consistent with that collision. In a statement to investigators, Baez allegedly acknowledged operating the vehicle on the night of the shooting.

Morrissey and the surviving victim were transported to Massachusetts General Hospital for gunshot injuries. Morrissey’s injuries claimed his life on Nov. 9.

The investigation proceeded carefully, methodically, and quietly until the three arrests over the past 12 hours. Evans and Conley cautioned, however, that the investigation was still very active and that anyone with knowledge of the shooting should share it with the Boston Police Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470.

Baez was represented by attorney Joseph Perrullo. He will return to court on April 15.

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