On a late summer evening in Worcester, Massachusetts, tragedy struck the community. A Hispanic man named Juan Mendez, 37 years old, was found on the ground at the Lincoln Village Apartments on Country Club Boulevard on Saturday, September 7, 2019. He was suffering from a gunshot wound. First responders rushed him to a local hospital, but his injuries proved to be fatal, and he was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the shooting quickly identified two suspects.
A few days later, police arrested 24-year-old Juan Gutierrez and 21-year-old Kenneth Vazquez in connection with Mendez's death. Authorities stated that they did not believe the shooting was a random act of violence.
Both men faced serious charges for their alleged involvement in the incident. Gutierrez was charged with murder, resisting arrest, and possession of Class A and Class B drugs with intent to distribute. He was also taken into custody on an outstanding warrant. Vazquez was charged with murder, resisting arrest, carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, and possession of ammunition without an FID card. The two were scheduled for arraignment in Worcester District Court.
