MAN, 24, APOLOGIZES FOR FATAL SOUTH BOSTON SHOOTING April 9, 2008 The man who fatally shot 27-year-old Willie Reynoso apologized for his actions today after admitting that he pulled the trigger during a 2006 brawl outside a South Boston housing development, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley announced. “I’m sorry for the events that happened,” TYRONE DUBOSE (D.O.B. 4/20/83) said after pleading guilty to the crime of voluntary manslaughter for what Judge Margaret Hinkle called the use of excessive force in self-defense. “I’m especially sorry to his mother and daughter. They’re in my prayers every night.” Dubose was sentenced to a term of 16 to 18 years in state prison for Reynoso’s slaying, which came in the early morning hours of Nov. 12, 2006, during a heated altercation that erupted when one of Dubose’s friends accused Reynoso of stealing his property. He also took a concurrent three- to five-year term for unlawfully carrying a firearm and two years for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. GREGORY HAGAN (D.O.B. 11/29/88) and EMMANUEL CRUZ (D.O.B. 5/5/87), both of whom still face trial as accessories to Reynoso’s homicide, allegedly confronted the victim in a parking lot near D Street at about 3:00 a.m. With them was Dubose, who in the course of the confrontation came into possession of a .380 semiautomatic handgun. Reynoso is believed to have produced a knife in the course of the confrontation. As that confrontation escalated, Dubose was knocked to the ground and fired the handgun several times, striking Reynoso in the leg and torso. The latter shot penetrated his liver and a major vein, ultimately killing him. Members of Reynoso’s family were present at the proceedings and offered to Hinkle photographs of Reynoso with his mother, Marcia Alvarez, and of his tiny daughter, now four years old. “My brother was not a criminal,” said his sister, Doniceli Zapata. He didn’t deserve to die the way he did.” Of the defendant, she said, “Not only did Mr. Dubose take away my brother’s life, he also took a piece of all our lives. I hope in his time in jail he thinks about the damage he caused and some day feels remorse.” It was after her statement that Dubose apologized to Zapata, her mother, and several other family members who sat with them in court. “Mr. Reynoso’s loved ones have been so strong throughout their ordeal that they inspired everyone who worked on his case,” Conley said. “I hope they can take some comfort, however small, in the defendant’s admissions and his sentence.” Dubose was represented by attorney John Hayes. Return to the Press Releases page.