On the evening of March 2, 2019, a fatal encounter unfolded at the Bowdoin Apartments in Malden, Massachusetts, claiming the life of 23-year-old Jeury Batista of Salem. Batista was a Black / African American male. The incident, which police do not believe was a random act, occurred at approximately 6:18 p.m. and stemmed from what prosecutors describe as a drug transaction that turned violent.
Batista, accompanied by his girlfriend, had arranged to meet two individuals to sell two pounds of marijuana. A dispute over the price of the drugs escalated quickly and tragically.
As Batista's girlfriend attempted to drive away from the escalating confrontation, a shot was fired. The bullet struck Batista, passing through his left forearm and entering his torso. Responding officers found Batista at the scene with a gunshot wound. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. The preliminary investigation pointed to the shooting being connected to a drug deal.
In the days following the shooting, authorities identified 18-year-old Yahia Mastouri of Malden as the alleged shooter and issued a warrant for his arrest. Another Malden man, 20-year-old Josue Espada, was also identified as a person of interest. The two men fled the state, prompting a wider search. Their time as fugitives came to an end in May 2019, when they were located and arrested at a hotel in Los Angeles, California, during an unrelated criminal investigation by local authorities.
Following their apprehension, Mastouri and Espada faced rendition hearings to be transported back to Massachusetts to face charges in connection with Batista's death. Prosecutors allege that Mastouri was the one who pulled the trigger. Mastouri was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, assault with intent to rob, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Espada was charged as an accessory after the fact. Authorities indicated that additional charges were expected as the investigation continued.
