'He Was My Best Friend,' Man Accused in Charles River Drowning Tells Reporters

A Malden man arraigned Wednesday in connection with the drowning death 26-year-old Mitchell Harrison told reporters from multiple news outlets the victim was his best friend, and they were just "playing around" when he allegedly pushed him into the Charles River.

State Police pulled Harrison, of Watertown, from the river near the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge Tuesday. He was transported to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in grave condition, and died there overnight.

• Read More: Watertown Man Drowns After Being Pushed into Charles River

His friend, 27-year-old Lenny Quintero-Flores, of Watertown, was arraigned in Charlestown Municipal Court Wednesday on a charge of manslaughter. His bail was set at $25,000, and he was ordered by Judge Lawrence McCormick to remain drug- and alcohol-free.

Police found an empty bottle of vodka at the dock where the incident occurred, and witnesses told police they had observed Harrison and Quintero-Flores drinking together before Quintero-Flores allegedly used his feet to push the victim, who was either asleep or unconscious at the time, into the river.

During an interview with investigators, Quintero-Flores allegedly admitted pushing Harrison into the water but said he did not know his friend was unconscious.

Quintero-Flores returns to court July 22.

>> Photo courtesy WHDH 7 News