Man Arraigned for Brazen Daytime Homicide
BOSTON, May 23, 2020—District Attorney Rachael Rollins announced that a man was arraigned yesterday in the May 18th shooting death of 49-year-old Derek Fitzpatrick. Also yesterday, two men faced arraignment in an unrelated case after they were arrested on firearm offenses near the scene of the city’s latest homicide which occurred on May 21st.
“Our city has recently experienced four homicides over a period six days. There is no place for this kind of violence in our communities, and my Office will work with our law enforcement, city partners, community agencies, and others to protect the safety and wellbeing of everyone in Suffolk County,” District Attorney Rollins said. “We are here to serve all members of the community, but the survivors of homicide have significant needs as they cope with the aftermath of losing a loved one to violence. The highly experienced Victim Witness Advocates assigned to my Office’s Homicide Unit are available to provide services and resources that these families could desperately need.”
YALIEK ALLAH-BARNES, 37, was arraigned yesterday in the Dorchester Division of Boston Municipal Court on a charge of murder for his role in the May 18, 2020, homicide of Derek Fitzpatrick. At the request of Assistant District Attorney Amy Martin, Judge James Coffey ordered Allah-Barnes ordered held without bail while his case is pending.
Allah-Barnes is charged with taking part in the brazen daytime shooting in the area of Bernard Street in Dorchester on May 18, 2020 that claimed Fitzpatrick’s life.
During a separate proceeding before Judge David Poole of the Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court, two men were arraigned following their arrests on firearm offenses the evening of May 21st. Both men were arrested Thursday night by officers responding to the scene of the City of Boston’s most recent homicide, which occurred at approximately 10 p.m. Thursday May 21st in the area of 267 Centre Street.
CLIFFORD JONES, 43, is charged with a total of 16 offenses, including three counts each of unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license as a second offense, possession of a large capacity feeding device, carrying a loaded firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition and a single count of resisting arrest. There were three separate unlicensed firearms associated with Mr. Jones. Assistant District Attorney David McGowan requested that bail be set at $75,000. Judge Poole imposed $60,000 bail. RUSHON HEMINGWAY, 23, was arraigned on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and resisting arrest. Assistant District Attorney McGowan requested bail of $25,000. Judge Poole set bail at $15,000.
“During this Memorial Day weekend, which so often brings families together in celebration and reflection, families who have lost loved ones to violence are left to grieve and pick up the pieces. Our communities have also been wracked by the fear, grief and trauma that are caused by every act of gun violence that they collectively experience,” District Attorney Rollins said. “My Office intends to hold accountable each individual who carries an illegal firearm, who commits an act of violence, or who risks the lives and safety of others. Those who commit these acts will be removed from the community.”
The case against Allah-Barnes returns to court on June 24, 2020. Jones and Hemingway will return to court June 15, 2020.
Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 25,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.