New Bedford Homicide Update

Bristol County District Attorney’s Office

Thomas M. Quinn III

District Attorney

Press Release

August 25, 2016

Two arrests have been made in connection to last evening’s homicide in New Bedford and the victim can now be publicly identified, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn announced this morning.

The victim of last night’s homicide is Mateo Morales, 15, of New Bedford.

Luis Rafael Class, 21, of New Bedford was charged during the overnight hours with accessory to murder after the fact, and assault and battery. The defendant will be arraigned today in New Bedford District Court.

A 16 -year-old boy has also been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Further information about this defendant cannot be released, due to his status as a juvenile.

New Bedford Police, Massachusetts State Police Deceives assigned to this office and Homicide Unit prosecutors are actively investigating the homicide.

At around 6:22 pm, New Bedford Police were called to the area of Middle and Chancery Streets in regards to a reported stabbing incident involving three victims. One victim, a 15-year-old male from New Bedford, is deceased. The other two victims, a 16-year-old male and a 22-year-old male, were being treated at area hospitals last evening for non-life threatening injuries. The 16 year old has since been released.

The investigation in being coordinated by First Assistant District Attorney Patrick O. Bomberg. The state Medical Examiner’s Office will take custody of the deceased to perform an autopsy.

Contact:

Gregg Miliote

Director of Communications

508-997-0711

774-292-9576