On the last night of 2019, a New Year's Eve party in Lawrence, Massachusetts, turned tragic, ending the life of 35-year-old Wilson Javier. A male of Hispanic descent born in the Dominican Republic, Javier was a father who was described by loved ones as a humorous, humble, and generous person. He relished spending time with his family and friends and particularly enjoyed fishing.
The festive gathering was held at an apartment at 7B Summer Street.
Shortly before midnight, another man at the party, Luis Polanco, then 25, of Lawrence, created a volatile situation. Polanco fired a shot into the ceiling and declared that the party was over. In an act of bravery, Javier attempted to disarm Polanco to protect the other partygoers. This heroic effort cost him his life, as Polanco then shot Javier three times, inflicting fatal wounds. Emergency services were called at 11:49 p.m., and upon arrival, police found Javier with a gunshot wound. He was rushed to Lawrence General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.
The investigation into Javier's death was conducted by the Essex District Attorney's Office, Essex State Police Detectives, and the Lawrence Police. The suspect, Luis Polanco, did not remain at large for long. He turned himself in to the New York City Police Department in early January 2020. After being returned to Massachusetts, he faced legal proceedings for his actions.
In February 2025, a jury in Essex County Superior Court found Luis Polanco, by then 30 years old, guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Wilson Javier. In addition to the murder conviction, Polanco was also found guilty of unlicensed possession of a firearm and unlicensed possession of a loaded firearm. His sentencing was scheduled for later that month, bringing a legal conclusion to the senseless act of violence that cut short the life of a beloved father and friend.
