Virginia man found guilty in fatal July 2023 shooting
BOSTON, October 31, 2024 – A Suffolk jury today convicted RICCARDY ROMAIN, 52, of Chesterfield, Virginia of voluntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of his brother-in-law, Jackson Beausejour, 33, of Mattapan, on July 30, 2023, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.
Romain was also convicted of two counts of carrying a firearm without a license and one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (firearm). He will be sentenced on Friday, November 8 in Suffolk Superior Court.
Assistant District Attorney Mark Lee said that during the early evening of July 30, 2023, Romain and several other individuals were in front of the Back to the Roots store, located at 493 Blue Hill Avenue. Romain's juvenile daughter, who had travelled with him from their home in Virginia to Boston to visit relatives, was also in the area.
After 7:30 p.m. that evening, Romain's daughter informed him that an adult male had made her feel uncomfortable. Romain confronted the adult male, and a physical altercation ensued. Romain's brother-in-law, Beausejour, attempted to break up the fight. During the fight, Romain produced a firearm and fired it, hitting Beausejour in the neck, killing him.
After shooting Beausejour, Romain approached the adult male again and pointed the gun at his head. The male pushed the gun away and Romain struck him in the head with the firearm. Video evidence showed Romain getting into his truck with his daughter and fleeing the scene, taking his firearm with him. Romain was stopped within minutes and his truck was seized and two firearms were recovered.
“This tragic incident began with Jackson Beausejour attempting to defuse an altercation and ended with Mr. Beausejour losing his life, all due to an illegal firearm in the hands of a person too willing to use it, even on a family member. I express my deepest condolences to Mr. Beausejour’s family and friends,” 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