Press Release  Lawrence Man Indicted for Manslaughter in July 4th Shooting

Salem, Massachusetts — An Essex County Grand jury indicted a 35-year old Lawrence man for manslaughter today for shooting a gun through the floor of his apartment and killing a 41-year old woman in her bed in the apartment below. 

Jose Lara-Mejia, who is currently held on $500,000 cash bail on unrelated narcotics charges, was indicted for manslaughter, illegal possession of a firearm, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling and illegal possession of ammunition.  An arraignment date on the new indictments has not been scheduled.  The defendant was indicted on heroin and cocaine trafficking on August 5^th.

In the early morning hours of July 4, 2015, Lawrence Police responded to a report of a gunshot at an apartment on Exchange Street.  They found Mirta Rivera in her bed suffering from a gunshot wound to her abdomen.  She was transported to Lawrence General Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

“This was a senseless act resulting in the tragic death of an innocent person,” District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said.  “Thanks to the hard work of all the investigators, we are able to seek justice for the victim.” 

Indictments are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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