Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Lynn Teen Arraigned in Chelsea Murder

Emanuel Marrero alleged to be only shooter in incident that left one dead and six injured on Sunday morning.

SWAMPSCOTT, MA - Emanuel Marrero, 16, of Lynn was arraigned in Chelsea District Court Tuesday on charges of murder, armed assault with intent to murder, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon stemming from a shooting in Chelsea early Sunday morning.

The shooting left Pablo Villeda of Chelsea dead and injured six other young men and women.

Marrero allegedly opened fire at a crowded party at an apartment in Chelsea early Sunday morning.

Find out what's happening in Swampscottfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

At the prosecutors’ request, Marrero was held without bail.

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

Find out what's happening in Swampscottfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Assistant District Attorney Julie Higgins of the Suffolk County 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.

“One young man is dead,” Suffolk DA 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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