Man Arraigned in Roxbury Murder
BOSTON, January 27, 2022—A man is held without bail following his arraignment today in the stabbing death of 33-year-old Ronald Reed and the nonfatal stabbing of a second man, District Attorney Kevin R. Hayden said.
RAYMOND VEGA-CASTRO, 42, of Mattapan was arraigned today in the Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court on charges of murder and armed assault with intent to murder. At the request of Assistant District Attorney David McGowan of the DA’s Homicide Unit, Judge David Weingarten ordered that Vega-Castro be held without bail.
Boston Police officers responded to a 911 call reporting a person stabbed in the area of Rockville Park shortly after 8:00 p.m. yesterday. They located the victim suffering from a stab wound to the chest. He succumbed to his injuries at Boston Medical Center.
A second victim was suffered multiple stab wounds and is expected to survive his injuries.
Prosecutors told the court that Vega-Castro assaulted the victims’ neighbor, leading the surviving victim to become involved in an altercation with Vega-Castro. Reed intervened on the surviving victim’s behalf and was stabbed by Castro, prosecutors said.
Officers determined Vega-Castro’s location using the coordinates of the GPS monitor that he had been ordered to wear following his release on bail in a 2021 case out of the Dorchester Division of Boston Municipal Court charging breaking and entering in the nighttime. He was placed under arrest following a motor vehicle stop.
“This was a senseless act of violence that stole one man’s life, left another man injured and forever changed the lives of those impacted and their loved ones. It has also traumatized the community and those who witnessed this tragic act of violence,” DA Hayden said. “I’m grateful to the community members who came forward to assist in this investigation, and to the members of law enforcement who acted with diligence to identify, locate and apprehend this individual.”
Edith Ayuso of the DA’s Homicide Unit is the assigned victim witness advocate. Vega-Castro is represented by attorney Claudia Lagos. He returns to court March 2.
James Borghesani, Chief of Communications
All charged individuals are presumed innocent until 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.