Juvenile pleads guilty in Waumbeck Street Shooting
BOSTON, March 16, 2023 - A juvenile pleaded guilty today to one count of Armed Assault to Murder, Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon causing Serious Bodily Injury and Illegal Possession of a Firearm in connection to a 2020 shooting that left the 31-year-old victim with life-long injuries, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.
Juvenile court Judge Peter Coyne sentenced the juvenile, who was charged as a youthful offender, to 10 to 13 years in state prison followed by three years of probation. The juvenile also pleaded guilty to an unrelated 2019 firearm charge. Coyne sentenced him to 2 ½ years in the House of Corrections, to be served concurrently.
On July 21, 2020, the victim was riding a scooter on Waumbeck Street when several gunmen appeared on foot and opened fire, striking him multiple times. A Boston Police Officer patrolling the area heard the gunshots and immediately responded and observed several suspects fleeing in a motor vehicle. The officer chased the vehicle to Codman Park, where the suspects jumped out. During the pursuit, the suspects faced the officer. In fear for his safety, the officer discharged his firearm. Neither the suspects nor officer were injured.
The victim suffered catastrophic injuries and is wheelchair bound. Multiple members of the victim’s family attended the change of plea hearing and delivered victim impact statements to the court.
The co-defendant, Naje Duchard is also charged in this matter and is scheduled for trial on April 18, 2023 in Suffolk Superior Court.
“This is yet another example of a senseless act that has dramatically altered lives. For all those involved, the victim, family and loved ones, they will never fully recover from this horrific event,” Hayden said.
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.
James Borghesani, Chief of Communications