Boston man arraigned on murder charge in February Roxbury shooting death

BOSTON, March 17, 2023 – A Boston man is being held without bail after being arraigned in Roxbury BMC today for the February shooting death of Terrell Banks, 27, in front of a Roxbury restaurant, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

STEPHEN FREEMAN, 33, was charged with murder and multiple firearm offenses. Judge David Poole ordered Freeman held without bail.  Freeman will return to court April 20 for a probable cause hearing.

Assistant District Attorney Sarah McEvoy said Banks was shot in the back as he stood in front of Slade’s Bar and Grill on Tremont Street at about 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 18. Video surveillance obtained by Boston police captured the shooting and the distinctive clothing worn by the gunman. Surveillance also showed the gunman’s path of flight after the shooting.

Investigators the next day walked the path of flight and recovered a sweatshirt, a t-shirt, a mask and a gun.  Surveillance from inside Slade’s showed Freeman wearing a t-shirt and sweatshirt identical to the ones recovered.  The recovered sweatshirt also appeared the same as the sweatshirt worn by the shooter.  The gun proved a ballistic match to a shell casing found at the scene.

“Once again we’re dealing with the deadly outcomes of too many illegal guns flowing into our neighborhoods and too many people willing to buy them, carry them and use them. We’re doing everything we can at the local level but we need full commitment from national leaders to fashion a truly effective approach,” 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