Man, 20, faces murder charge in New Bedford shooting

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — A third man was arrested in connection to the killing of a 20-year-old man in New Bedford.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office said Friday that 20-year-old Xavier Luis Rodriguez was charged with murder and carrying an illegal firearm.

Rodriguez was arrested on Thursday night. He is set to be arraigned at New Bedford District Court.

He is the third man arrested in connection to the shooting death of Lorenzo Gomes early Monday morning.

Wyllie Monteiro is arraigned on an accessory to murder after the fact charge in New Bedford District Court, Thursday, July 6, 2023. (WLNE)

Two other men are charged with accessory to murder after the fact.

Sterling Robinson, 24, and Wyllie Monteiro, 25, were both being held without bail.

New Bedford police responded to a 911 call shortly after midnight on Monday for a report of gunfire.

Witnesses told police they thought they heard gunshots in the area of Tallman and North Front streets.

Sterling Robinson appears in New Bedford District Court on an accessory to murder after the fact charge, Wednesday, July 5, 2023. (WLNE)

Officers searched the area and found Gomes in his vehicle on Belleville Avenue.

Investigators believe he tried to drive himself to a hospital and lost consciousness.

Gomes was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital, where he died.

The homicide investigation is ongoing.