Press Release  Lawrence Man Sentenced to Life With Parole For Methuen Murder

Methuen, MA — A Lawrence Superior Court judge sentenced a Lawrence man to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years today for the 2019 shooting death of a former US Marine.

A jury found Remy Salazar, 27, guilty of second-degree murder on November 9^th, following a 6- day trial.  The jury also returned guilty verdicts for unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging of a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling.

Essex Assistant District Attorney Kate MacDougall introduced evidence that proved that Mr. Salazar shot Kelvin Frias, who was 30 at the time, on March 15, 2019, while he stood outside the Hookah Store on Broadway in Methuen.  The defendant, who attended an after-hours party at the Hookah Store, became angry with the store’s owner for requesting payment for the alcohol served at the party.  Mr. Frias, who was a friend and bodyguard of the storeowner, tried to diffuse the situation and asked the defendant to leave.  The defendant left and returned about 30 minutes later, shouted at the storeowner and fired six rounds toward a group of people that included the storeowner and the victim. A bullet struck Mr. Frias in the head.  He died the next morning at a Boston hospital.

Judge Sal Tabit imposed the sentence requested by ADA MacDougall today in Lawrence Superior Court, after hearing from Mr. Frias’s family members.  In her sentencing argument, MacDougall stated that Mr. Frias, “was gentle giant only trying to play peacemaker that evening.”  His brother, Dinelson Frias, told the Court that, “Kelvin was the thread that held our family together and that thread is now frayed and can’t be made whole again.”

“My thoughts are with the family and friends of Kelvin Frias, particularly his 9-year old daughter.  While there is nothing we can do to restore their tremendous loss, it is my hope that they can now find some peace,” Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said.  “Mr. Frias was a United States Marine Corps veteran who served his country with honor for four years of active duty.  His senseless murder diminishes all of us.”

ADA MacDougall prosecuted the case with assistance Essex Victim Witness Advocate Jocelyn Pichardo.  She thanked Trooper Matt Murphy of the Essex State Police Detective Unit and Methuen Police Detective Charles Dejesus for their work on the investigation.

Attorney John Morris represented the defendant.

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