28-year-old Fall River man indicted for the murder of 29-year-old Derek Pires of Fall River

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced today that a 28-year-old man has been indicted for the previously unsolved March 13, 2023, homicide of 29-year-old Derek Pires of Fall River.

Gianni Carter-Joyner, who has ties to both New Bedford and Fall River, was indicted by a Bristol County Grand Jury on charges of Murder, Unlawful Possession of a Loaded Firearm, Unlawful Transportation of a Firearm into the Commonwealth, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute and two counts of Carrying an Illegal Firearm-Subsequent offense.

The grand jury investigation into the homicide was overseen and presented by Assistant District Attorney Kaitlyn O’Leary, who will also prosecute the case.

An arraignment date has yet to be scheduled by the clerk’s office at the Fall River Superior Court, but Carter-Joyner is in custody on related illegal firearm and drug distribution charges out of New Bedford District Court.

At 10:52 p.m. on March 13th, New Bedford Police were notified that the Shot Spotter system detected shots fired in the area of Dartmouth Street at Dunbar Street.

Responding officers located Pires sitting in the driver’s seat of a black Dodge Charger parked on the south side of Dunbar Street.

The victim had sustained gunshots wounds and was rushed to Saint Luke’s Hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 1:30 a.m. on March 14th. He was the sole occupant in the vehicle.

Details of the case will be revealed during Carter-Joyner’s arraignment in open court.