6 from Massachusetts to be arraigned in deadly shooting that killed 21 and 25-year-old men

SALEM, Mass. – Arraignments are slated to begin for the six individuals who have been indicted for murder in connection to a deadly drive-by shooting at 189 Essex Street in Lynn on September 2, 2023, which left Jandriel Heredia, 21, of Revere, and Abraham Diaz, 25, of Lynn, deceased, and five others injured.

In Superior Court in Salem on Friday, October 11, Leonardo Espinoza, 15, of Lynn will be arraigned on two counts of murder. Shortly thereafter, Darwin Batista, 20, of Lynn, will be arraigned on two counts of murder as well as four counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon resulting in serious bodily injury. The Hon. Kathleen McCarthy-Neyman is expected to preside over the cases.

Authorities expect four other individuals indicted in the case – Justin Alba, 25, of Peabody and Lynn residents Yefferson Vallecillo Cambar, 22, Carlos Ramirez Corniel, 16, and Abel Severino Reyes, 21 – to be arraigned at a later date. Defendants were arrested in connection to the shooting following an investigation involving the Lynn Police Department, Massachusetts State Police (MSP) detectives assigned to the Office of Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker, and the MSP Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section.

Assistant District Attorney Jessica Strasnick will prosecute the cases on behalf of the Commonwealth. Batista will be represented by attorney Charles Henry Fasoldt, while Espinoza will be represented by attorney Victoria Kelleher. It is not yet known who will represent the other defendants.