On the morning of Friday, December 6, 2024, Melissa Janvier Pablo, a 32-year-old Haitian-American woman, was on her way to work in Chelsea, Massachusetts. As she was in a crosswalk near the TownePlace Suites hotel on Marginal Street around 8:45 a.m., she was shot and killed. First responders found her on the ground and rushed her to Massachusetts General Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
The incident, which left a pair of shoes in the median, was witnessed by several people in the busy area.
The killing was the tragic culmination of a history of domestic violence. Melissa had been married to her husband, Luckenson King Pablo, for over ten years. Friends and family reported that she had been a victim of his abuse for some time. Fearing for her safety, she had previously sought help from the authorities on multiple occasions, reporting his violent behavior. These steps included obtaining a protection order and leaving their home to escape the brutality. Despite these efforts to protect herself, the violence escalated with fatal consequences.
Following the shooting, the gunman fled the scene in a car. A swift and intensive investigation was launched by the Chelsea Police, Massachusetts State Police, and Everett Police. Based on witness accounts and surveillance footage, authorities identified the suspect as Melissa's 31-year-old estranged husband. A few hours later, police surrounded an apartment building on 2nd Street in Everett, evacuating residents and closing off the street. Luckenson King Pablo was apprehended at the building and taken into custody.
Luckenson King Pablo was subsequently charged with first-degree murder. During his arraignment in Chelsea District Court, prosecutors detailed the attack, stating that he approached Melissa, who attempted to flee. He allegedly pursued her, physically assaulted her, and shot her after she fell to the ground. He is now being held without bail. The community has mourned Melissa's death, with local domestic violence organizations holding a vigil in her honor to raise awareness about the lethality of domestic violence.
