A second suspect has been arrested in relation to the shooting last Tuesday near Griffin Park, resulting in two dead and another injured.
21-year-old Dana Mazyck was taken into custody today by Fall River and Massachusetts State Police.. He is charged with carrying an illegal firearm, carrying a loaded illegal firearm and unlawful discharge of a firearm within 500 feet of a building. He is being held without bail pending dangerousness hearing next week.
18-year-old Jeremy Holmes of Fall River, pled not guilty yesterday in Fall River District Court on charges of carrying an illegal firearm, carrying a loaded illegal firearm and unlawful possession of a large-capacity firearm. He is also being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on Thursday.
Both men are persons of interest in the death of 14-year-old Miguel Sanjurjo and 29-year-old Jovaughn Antonio Mills last Tuesday. A 19-year-old man was also wounded with a gunshot would to the leg. He is expected to recover.
Last night’s community meeting at the Corky Row Club brought together Mayor Paul Coogan, Police Chief Jeffrey Cardoza, and other city department heads to address local concerns of residents in the neighborhood.
Chief Cardoza said gun violence has increased across Fall River and the country, with 20 incidents reported thus far this year. That is the same number reported in all of 2020 and above the 15 shootings that took place during 2019. The chief told neighbors that increased police patrols and the installation of technology, including the use of cameras, will be located at hot spots across the city.
The chief is also working on ways to treat all gun-related investigations with the same urgency.
Comments from residents in the neighborhood ranged from lack of cleanliness to ensuring absentee landlords are held accountable for making sure their tenants are safe. One resident welcomed the addition of patrols within Corky Row but cautioned officers to take a more active role within the neighborhood.
Others implored city leaders to play a supportive role in mentoring and sponsoring activities for local youth.
Bobby Bailey, the minority youth coordinator at the Fall River Housing Authority and member of the city’s Diversity Committee, says more police and youth activities can only do so much.
Mayor Coogan committed to increasing spending on neighborhood activities and job opportunities for city youth this summer.
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