Hector Aybar Soto Convicted for 2023 Murder of Christopher Garcia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LAWRENCE, Mass. – October 28, 2025 – An Essex County Superior Court jury yesterday found Hector Raul Aybar Soto, 28, of Lawrence, guilty in the murder of 24-year-old Christopher Garcia of Lawrence, the Office of Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker announces. In addition to second-degree murder, the jury also found Aybar Soto guilty of carrying a firearm without a license and assault and battery.

The charges are derived from an incident on March 17, 2023 in Lawrence. Authorities say that, after a minor traffic dispute, Aybar Soto followed Garcia to a Walnut Street address and shot him. Lawrence Police responded to multiple 911 calls and arrived on scene where Garcia, who went by the nickname “Bebo,” had suffered a gunshot wound that ultimately proved fatal.

Following the verdict, the Hon. Elizabeth Dunigan sentenced Aybar Soto to life in prison with the possibility of parole after a term of 20 years.

Assistant District Attorneys Caitlin Shugrue and James Gubitose represented the Commonwealth in the case and Michelle DeFeo served as victim/witness advocate. The defendant was represented by attorney Jeffrey Sweeney. The shooting investigation involved the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to Tucker’s office, including Trooper Daniel Henderson and the Lawrence Police Department, including Detective Frank Daly.

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