Ten Days After Father’s Murder Conviction, Son Pleads to Earlier Killing

BOSTON, March 31, 2022— A Norwood man pled guilty to manslaughter and gun charges in the 2019 fatal shooting of Daniel Vo, District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.

ANDERSON LUGO VARGAS, 26, plead guilty on Thursday to charges of manslaughter and firearm possession. Judge Robert Ullman sentenced Lugo Vargas to 22 to 24 years in state prison.

“Today’s guilty plea ensures accountability for the man who murdered Daniel Vo.  It ensures that he will not have the opportunity to inflict harm in the community, but it doesn’t undo the harm that Vo’s loved ones and the community have experienced as a result of lethal act of violence,” District Attorney Hayden said. “My office remains available to Vo’s loved ones even as the case against his killer has been brought to its conclusion.  We are committed to supporting the survivors of homicide and all who have been harmed by gun violence.”

Had the case proceeded to trial, Assistant District Attorney David McGowan would have presented evidence and testimony to prove that Lugo Vargas fired four shots into Vo's back shortly after 3:00 p.m. on July 17, 2019. Residential surveillance video shows that the defendant drove the victim on a Honda Grom motorcycle onto Rowe Street in Roslindale. A gunshot rang out about 20 seconds after Lugo Vargas drove out of view. Approximately 30 seconds later, the defendant can be seen driving off alone.

Lugo Vargas fled to One Stop Auto on American Legion Highway, where he and his father, RICHARD LUGO, were employed. The defendant hid the motorcycle and drove away in a customer's car. He then discarded his pants at a nearby carwash. Through forensic testing, investigators were able to identify gunshot residue on the pants as well as the motorcycle. They also found that blood from the motorcycle matched the victim's DNA. The motorcycle was missing a mirror, which police matched to a broken mirror found under the victim.

Earlier this month, a Suffolk Superior Court jury convicted Richard Lugo of second-degree murder in the October 31, 2019, killing of Pascual Casiano at the same auto shop where he worked and where Lugo Vargas fled after fatally shooting Vo.

Elise McConnell and Tina Nguyen are the assigned victim witness advocates. The defendant was represented by Jeff Miller.

 James Borghesani, Chief of Communications

All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 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.