Crime
19-year-old pleads not guilty, held without bail, in connection with shooting that killed New Bedford’s Cristiano Macedo, injured 2 others
Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn, III has announced that an arrest has been made in connection with the fatal shooting of Cristiano Macedo at the Morna Lounge and Grill on January 11th.
19-year-old Danielson Varela of New Bedford was arrested Sunday night and charged with First Degree Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Carrying a Loaded Firearm and two counts of Assault and Battery with a Firearm.
Varela was arraigned Monday morning in the New Bedford District Court where he pled not guilty and was held without bail.
In February of 2024, Varela was charged in a Brock Avenue convenience store shooting. No injuries were reported; however, a vehicle sustained damage.
According to Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Sowa, at approximately 1:21 a.m. Saturday, New Bedford Police responded to the Morna Lounge and Grill located at 1621 Acushnet Avenue for a report of a shooting inside of the business.
Police identified three gunshot victims, two females and one male. All were taken to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford. The two female victims, who were identified as being in their twenties, underwent treatment for their injuries. The male victim, identified as 27-year-old Cristiano Macedo of New Bedford, was pronounced deceased shortly after his arrival at the hospital.
Macedo was being remembered for his sense of humor by those who knew him as they expressed their heartbreak over his sudden death at a young age.
Varela’s next scheduled court appearance is a probable cause hearing on February 10th.
