Three Defendants Arraigned in Connection to Shooting Near Lawrence High School
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LAWRENCE, Mass. – September 24, 2026 – Three defendants were arraigned today in connection to a shooting on East Dalton Street, near Lawrence High School, that occurred on August 31 at approximately 3:00 p.m., the Office of Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker confirms. Lawrence Police responded to 911 calls and found three teen victims had been shot at the scene, which was not on school property.
Today in Essex County Superior Court in Salem, Jesus Emmanuel Garcia Acosta, 19, of Lawrence, was indicted for three counts of armed assault with intent to murder, three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (firearm) causing serious bodily injury, carrying a firearm without a license, and carrying a loaded firearm without a license. Garcia Acosta entered a plea of not guilty, and the Hon. John C. Fraser ordered the defendant held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing which is scheduled to be held on October 1. Assistant District Attorney Shailagh Kennedy represented the Commonwealth at the arraignment. The defendant was represented by attorney Kayla Roze.
Meanwhile, in Lawrence Juvenile Court today, two other defendants were indicted as youthful offenders in relation to the same incident. Raymond Santos Sosa, 17, of Lawrence, and William Guerrero Amador, 16, of Lawrence, were each charged with three counts of armed assault with intent to murder, three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (firearm) causing serious bodily injury, carrying a firearm without a license, and carrying a loaded firearm without a license. Both entered pleas of not guilty and were ordered held without bail pending dangerousness hearings which were scheduled for September 29.
The shooting remains under investigation by the Lawrence Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to Tucker’s office.
All suspects and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Michael Keefe-Feldman
E: Michael.Keefe-Feldman@mass.gov
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