An 18-year-old has been arrested after a fellow teen was shot dead on the campus of Worcester State University in Massachusetts.
Kevin Rodriguez was captured by authorities in New York City on Thursday morning on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and armed assault with intent to murder.
Rodriguez was wanted in connection with the death of 19-year-old Randy Armando Melendez Jr., who was shot Saturday while on campus.
Melendez and the second victim, a 21-year-old man who has not been identified, were both shot and rushed to the hospital. Melendez was later pronounced dead at UMass Memorial Medical Center.
Police have not released a motive in the shooting but said it was not random.
Kevin Rodriguez, 18, was captured by authorities in New York City Thursday morning on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and armed assault with intent to murder
Rodriguez was wanted in connection with the death of 19-year-old Randy Armando Melendez Jr. in a double shooting at a parking garage
Gunfire broke out at around 2.30am during an altercation on Saturday, according to Massachusetts state police
Gunfire started around 2.30am during an altercation amid a large crowd Saturday on the campus about an hour’s drive from Boston, according to Massachusetts State Police.
One suspect, Richard Nieves, 18, of Southbridge, left the crime scene, but was later arrested near the site and charged with carrying a firearm without a license and trespassing.
Rodrigues had remained at large for four days and was captured in New York Thursday morning.
‘This incident does not appear to be a random occurrence,’ stated Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early during a press conference on Saturday.
‘Based on our current findings, it appears that the parties involved had prior acquaintanceship.’
Neither the victims nor the suspects involved in the shooting are students at Worcester State University.
One suspect Richard Nieves, 18, of Southbridge, left the crime scene, but was later arrested near the site and charged with carrying a firearm without a license and trespassing
Melendez was shot dead a few days after his 19th Birthday, a GoFundMe page created by his family shows
Neither the victims nor the suspects involved in the shooting are students at Worcester State University
The school issued a shelter-in-place order shortly after the incident and canceled all campus events over the weekend.
‘Phone starts blowing up, hear about a shooting that went down over in Wasylean parking lot, start calling around, making sure everyone is OK, seeing if my roommates are all good,’ freshman Jordan Roback told NBC10.
‘I was just scared,’ sophomore Dani Guerrero said. ‘You wouldn’t think that would happen to your school, you know? And then you see all the posts. It’s scary.’
Melendez was shot dead a few days after his 19th Birthday, a GoFundMe page established by his family shows.
‘Our son was taken from us too soon only few days after his 19th Birthday and it’s the worst nightmare any family can Go threw,’ Melendez’ stepmother Sashira Belfort Lopez wrote.
‘Our son was a great kid hardworking who loved being around friends and family. He loved spending his spare time at home with his family. We are going threw the hardest time of our life and wouldn’t wish this on anyone.’