Two men sentenced after Massachusetts emerging musical artist gunned down two days before performance for A&R executives

SALEM, Mass.– In Essex County Superior Court in Salem Wednesday afternoon, Alan Bernadin, 23, and Nathaniel Mercedat, 23, both of Lynn, pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the killing of 20-year-old Brian Gomez of Salem, Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker confirms.

Prosecuting the case on behalf of the Commonwealth, Assistant District Attorney Susan Dolhun said that Bernadin and Mercedat fired the shots that killed Gomez at a meetup party shortly after midnight on April 10, 2022, behind Lynn English High School. Ballistics testing showed that Gomez was struck by four bullets which were fired from two separate guns.

Mercedat also pleaded guilty to assault and battery with a deadly weapon, assault and battery, and disturbing a correctional institution – charges stemming from an altercation in the Middleton House of Correction in which he stomped on another inmate’s head. For the manslaughter charge, the two defendants were sentenced to not less than nine years and not more than 10 years in state prison. Mercedat was also sentenced to an additional 90 days in the house of correction for the other charges.

The Hon. Kathleen McCarthy-Neyman presided and handed down the sentences. Rocky Yaniv served as victim/witness advocate. Tucker praised the investigative work of Detective Josh Hilton and the Lynn Police Department, Trooper Matt Murphy and the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to Essex County, and the Salem Police Department. Bernadin was represented by attorney Jeffrey Miller, while Mercedat was represented by attorney Ronald Ranta.

Members of Gomez’s family spoke to the court during the hearing, remembering Gomez as a vibrant young man, son, brother, and friend. Gomez was an emerging musical artist who was preparing to perform for A&R executives in New York City at the time of his death.

A GoFundMe fundraiser raised over $11,000 for funeral expenses after Gomez’s death.