Canton man charged with murder in death of 15-year-old Curtis Ashford Jr.

BOSTON, October 21, 2022 —A Canton man was ordered held without bail today after being charged in the July 27 shooting death of 15-year-old Curtis Ashford Jr on Ellington Street in Boston, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

ZONTRE MACK, 19, is charged with murder and possession of a firearm without a license.  Judge Erika Reis ordered Mack held without bail.  Mack will return to court October 28 for a pre-trial hearing. 

Mack is the second person charged with Ashford’s murder. Dominick Gavin, 25, was arraigned in September and is also being held without bail. 

Assistant District Attorney Julie Higgins said surveillance video and witness accounts showed Mack and Gavin arriving in the Ellington Street area at about 7:30 pm in a car driven by Gavin.  Mack, who was 18 at the time of the shooting, then left the vehicle and fired multiple shots at a group of individuals, including Curtis Ashford, gathered on Ellington Street. The group fled upon hearing the shots.  Ashford was hit while trying to get away, Higgins said. 

Boston police located the car driven by Gavin and gathered evidence, including DNA and fingerprints matched to Mack, Higgins said.

Hayden, who attended Mack’s arraignment and who arrived at the Ellington Street scene shortly after the shooting, praised investigators for their work on the case and thanked community members for providing information to authorities and for supporting Ashford’s family.

“The shooting death of a 15-year-old should not—and must not—become an event affecting only the victim’s loved ones and those of us responsible for bringing the offenders to justice. This crime should shock and outrage everyone, and should make all of us work together to reduce these shattering acts of violence.  I have a 15-year-old son. My heart and soul break with sorrow for Curtis’s family,” Hayden said.