Dorchester man arraigned on J’ouvert shootout firearms, assault to murder charges

BOSTON, August 29, 2023 –One of the eight people wounded during a shootout Sunday morning on Talbot Avenue was arraigned in his hospital bed today on numerous firearm and assault to murder charges, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

SEBASTIAN MONTEIRO FERNANDEZ, 21, of Dorchester was charged with illegal possession of a firearm (2nd offense), illegal possession of a loaded firearm,  illegal possession of ammunition, discharging a weapon within 500 feet of a dwelling and seven counts of armed assault with intent to murder.

Dorchester BMC Judge Jonathan Tynes ordered Monteiro Fernandez held without bail pending a September 7 dangerousness hearing.  Fernandez, who was shot in the leg, was arraigned in his Boston Medical Center bed. In addition to the dangerousness hearing, the probation department moved for a surrender hearing relative to Monteiro Fernandez’s probation on an earlier gun offense.

 At about 7:43 on Sunday, officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation for 12 rounds at Talbot Ave and Harvard Street in Dorchester.  Officers observed eight gunshot victims and began rendering aid.  Detectives responded and collected video from nearby buildings. A male wearing light colored denim pants and a black hooded sweatshirt is seen in front of 10 Talbot Avenue, approaching a metal parade barrier and engaging a separate group of men.  He is seen extending his arm and displaying a firearm and shooting rounds toward the group.  The other group returns fire, striking the man.  The man, later determined to be Monteiro Fernandez, is seen limping into a tow lot, and passing a firearm to an unidentified female. 

 Monteiro Fernandez sustained an injury to his lower leg/knee area. He is approached by two officers (who did not know he was the shooter at the time) who apply a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Monteiro Fernandez’s clothing matched that of the person seen on video shooting into the crowd, who had gathered along the route of the J’ouvert celebration.

  “It’s impossible to overstate the sheer recklessness of firing bullets on a city street at any time, much less when people are gathered to celebrate and enjoy a popular cultural event.  This shooting is frightening not only for the thoughtlessness of those involved and the injuries they inflicted, but for the potential fatalities that, mercifully, didn’t occur,” 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