In the early moments of July 3, 2023, the life of 20-year-old Lorenzo Gomes of New Bedford, Massachusetts, was tragically cut short. Just after midnight, the sound of gunfire echoed in the area of Tallman and North Front streets, prompting a 911 call to the New Bedford Police. Responding officers arrived to find a scene that would soon turn into a homicide investigation.
Witnesses reported hearing loud bangs that they believed to be gunshots.
During their search of the area, police discovered Gomes inside his vehicle on Belleville Avenue. It is believed that after being shot, Gomes attempted to drive himself to the hospital, a desperate act in the final moments of his life, before losing consciousness behind the wheel. Emergency services rushed him to St. Luke's Hospital, but his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the death of Lorenzo Gomes led to the arrest of three individuals. Xavier Luis Rodriguez, 20, of New Bedford, was apprehended and faced charges of murder and carrying an illegal firearm. He was the third person to be charged in connection with the killing. Prior to his arrest, two other men were taken into custody. Sterling Robinson, 24, of New Bedford, was arrested in Fall River and charged with accessory to murder after the fact. Another New Bedford man, 25-year-old Wyllie Monteiro, was arrested in Dartmouth and faced the same charge of accessory to murder after the fact. Both Robinson and Monteiro were held without bail.
