On an autumn evening in New Bedford, Massachusetts, the lives of two families were irrevocably altered. On October 10, 2017, Stephen Bodden, a 27-year-old Black man, was shot and killed in a devastating act of gun violence. The incident, which also claimed the life of 28-year-old Fabio Tavares, unfolded inside a vehicle driving down Central Avenue. The night began with what seemed to be a friendly gathering, as Bodden and Tavares were reportedly having drinks with Carmelo Kercado, Jr.
at a lounge on Acushnet Avenue.
The friendly atmosphere took a dark turn after the three men left the lounge together in a car. From the back seat, Kercado is said to have fired ten rounds, striking both Bodden and Tavares multiple times in the head and back. The vehicle subsequently crashed into a parked car, and witnesses reported seeing Kercado flee the scene on foot. The shooting was described by the district attorney as a premeditated, "execution-style" double murder. Investigators believe the motive may have been tied to an earlier homicide. Prosecutors stated that Bodden had made a video vowing retribution for the killing of a friend whom he considered a mentor.
In the days following the double homicide, authorities identified Carmelo Kercado, Jr. as the suspect and launched a manhunt. He was quickly added to the Massachusetts State Police's Most Wanted list. Kercado, who had a lengthy criminal record including weapons and assault offenses, was considered armed and dangerous. He used several aliases, including "Melo," "David Brown," and "Carmelo Mello."
After more than two months on the run, the search for Kercado ended hundreds of miles away. Acting on a tip, U.S. Marshals and other law enforcement agencies located him at a home in Concord, North Carolina. On December 19, 2017, following a brief standoff, Carmelo Kercado, Jr. was taken into custody. He was subsequently extradited back to Massachusetts to face two counts of murder. Upon his arraignment, Kercado was ordered to be held without bail. Bodden's family expressed that while nothing could make up for their loss, knowing his alleged murderer was behind bars brought them a sense of blessing during the holiday season.
