A Second Individual Charged With Murder Connected to August 2nd New Bedford Homicide

District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn announced today that a second man has been charged with murder connected to the August 2nd homicide of 24-year-old Jeffrey Sylvia Jr. in New Bedford.

Michael Sousa, 22, of 49 Acushnet Avenue, was formally charged with murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, armed robbery and defacing a serial number of a firearm today in New Bedford District Court.

Mr. Sousa was initially arrested on a charge of obstructing justice hours after the homicide and has been held in jail since August 2nd. He will be arraigned on the new charges tomorrow morning in New Bedford District Court.

State Police Detectives assigned to this office and New Bedford Police detectives had previously arrested Darian Cardoza, 17, of 191 County Street on August 13th. Mr. Cardoza is charged with murder, armed robbery and illegal possession of a firearm. He was arraigned on August 14th and ordered held without bail.

The city’s Shot Spotter gun shot detection system notified police of shots fired near the intersection of Acushnet Avenue and Blackmer Street around 1:37 a.m. on Sunday, August 2nd. When first responders arrived in the area minutes later, they found the victim lying deceased in the street at the intersection.

The victim, Jeffrey Sylvia Jr., 24, of New Bedford, , was declared deceased at the scene.

The investigation is being coordinated by Assistant District Attorneys Daniel Hourihan and MaryClare Flynn.

No further information about the facts of the case will be released prior to tomorrow’ arraignment in open court.

Contact:
Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
508-997-0711
774-292-9576—cell