Two alleged gang members were ordered held without bail today on charges that they murdered a 16-year-old boy and nearly killed his 14-year-old friend on Geneva Avenue earlier this year, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

SHELDON MATTIS (D.O.B. 1/22/93) and NYASANI WATT (D.O.B. 10/5/93), both of Dorchester, were arraigned this afternoon in Dorchester District Court on counts of murder, armed assault with intent to murder, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Watt was additionally charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm for a handgun he allegedly had on him at the time of his arrest this morning.

Assistant District Attorney Mark Hallal, chief of Conley’s Senior Trial Unit, told Judge Robert Baylor that Mattis and Watt were associated with a gang known as Flatline, based on Levant Street in Dorchester. On the afternoon of Sept. 25, Hallal said, people associated with that gang saw the surviving victim standing outside a convenience store right around the corner on Geneva Avenue.

Mattis approached that boy to determine whether he was from a rival gang, Hallal said. Mattis and the youth engaged in a brief discussion during which the 14-year-old asked Mattis to buy him some rolling papers. Mattis did so, then went back to Levant Street and told his associates that the boy was a rival gang member.

Meanwhile, Hallal said, the younger boy began walking away and soon met up with his friend, Blake.
Watt allegedly armed himself with a .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun and placed it in his waistband. He rode on a bicycle to the intersection of Levant Street and Geneva Avenue, where he met up with Mattis, Hallal said.

Mattis helped Watt conceal the handgun by pulling Watt’s sweatshirt down over it, Hallal said. Mattis allegedly patted Watt on the back and sent him on his way.

As Watt rode toward the two young teens on Geneva Avenue, they began to run toward Olney Street. Hallal said Watt fired multiple shots, striking Blake in the back and the younger teen in the neck.

The round that entered Blake’s body pierced his liver, spine, and major blood vessels, mortally wounding him. Responding Boston Police performed CPR on him and briefly resuscitated him, but he died at Boston Medical Center later that afternoon. His friend – who left a trail of blood as he tried to flee his assailant – was rushed to the same hospital and survived his injuries.

In the days and weeks that followed, Boston Police homicide detectives developed evidence sufficient to charge Mattis and Watt. When arrested this morning, Watt had not only changed his hairstyle but was also carrying a fully loaded .38 caliber handgun, Hallal said.

Attorney Harold Hakala represents Mattis. Attorney Willie Davis represents Watt. The two will return to court on Dec. 2.