New Bedford gang member charged in fatal shooting had prior firearms conviction overturned
One man also charged with manslaughter relating to the charge.
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) – A New Bedford man arrested in connection to a fatal shooting in July had a prior conviction on a gun charge overturned in Fall River Superior Court.
Bruno Lopes,24, was arrested in connection to an ongoing investigation into the July 17th fatal shooting of Keven Rocha.
Lopes was charged with Armed Assault in Dwelling, Carrying Firearm without a License, Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License, Attempted Assault and Battery with a Firearm, Malicious Destruction of Property Over $1200 and Discharging Firearm Within 500 Feet of a Building.
Police had also arrested 33-year-old New Bedford resident, Ricard Velez-Gonzalez on July 21st, and charged him with Manslaughter in connection to the death of Rocha.
Velez-Gonzalez is currently being held without bail after being found dangerous.
According to Assistant District Attorney Mathew Sylvia, Lopes and Rocha were seen on surveillance leaving Monte’s Park together and arriving on Margin Street in New Bedford.
Lopes and Rocha entered the home, at which point, it is alleged that Rocha pointed a gun at the people inside.
According to Sylvia, a struggle ensued and Rocha was apparently shot and killed with his own gun.
After initially leaving the home on foot, the Lopes was seen on surveillance video going back to the home with another gun a few minutes later.
Lopes is accused of shooting at the home from outside at least seven times.
The gun that was allegedly used to shoot into the home was located by police.
According to District Attorney Thomas Quinn III, Lopes had previously been convicted by a jury in Fall River Superior Court on charges of Carrying an Illegal Firearm and Attempted Assault and Battery by Discharge of a Firearm.
Lopes had been sentenced to serve jail time on those two charges.
However, in a statement, Quinn said Judge Gregg Pasquale “allowed the defendant’s motion to set aside both jury verdicts based on their contention that the defendant could not be identified as the shooter on surveillance video.”
Pasquale then entered not guilty findings on both indictments, and Lopes was released from custody.
The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office is now appealing that decision.
According to Quinn Lopes had also been arrested during a night of rioting in Providence on the night of July 2.
Rhode Island court records show that Lopes was arrested that night by Providence police and charged with disorderly conduct.
©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2020
