Man accused of murdering Massachusetts 20-year-old and 4-month-old baby captured in Puerto Rico

New Haven, CT – The U.S. Marshals in Puerto Rico has arrested a Waterbury man wanted for murder following a violent dispute in Hartford Nov. 19.

Lance Benuet Morales, 23, is alleged to have shot and killed 20-year-old Jessiah Mercado and her 4-month-old son, Messiah Diaz, of Springfield, Massachusetts. A third person was also injured.

After the Hartford Police Department identified Morales as the prime suspect in the shooting, an arrest warrant was issued, charging him with two counts of murder, first-degree assault, criminal possession of a firearm, criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault, and murder with special circumstances.

In collaboration with the Hartford Police, after U.S. Marshals in Connecticut and Massachusetts developed information that Morales had fled to Puerto Rico, they sent a collateral lead to the USMS Puerto Rico Violent Fugitive Task Force, who found and arrested Morales at a residence in the barrio of Fajardo.

Morales was transported to the Fajardo Police Department for processing and formally charged as a fugitive from justice. He is awaiting extradition to Connecticut, where he will face the charges against him.

According to police, Morales and Mercado were acquaintances who got into a dispute over a vehicle.

A GoFundMe fundraiser created for funeral expenses remembered the mother and son.

“On Tuesday November 19, 2024, Jessiah and Messiahs lives were tragically cut short due to gun violence. Jessiah was a beloved daughter, mother, niece, sister, and friend. If you had the pleasure of knowing her, you know she was one of the strongest young women who did not always have life so easy. However, she put her heart into everything she set out to do. Messiah brought so much joy to Jessiah and there is no doubt heaven just became even more beautiful with them both there. Jessiah is survived by many loved ones and most importantly, her older son, who was such a big part of her world.”

“Since the commission of this senseless and heinous act of violence, investigators from the Hartford Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service Violent Fugitive Task Forces in Connecticut and Puerto Rico have tirelessly worked around the clock to bring the suspect to justice,” said acting U.S. Marshal for the District of Connecticut Lawrence Bobnick. “This arrest is a testament to the close collaboration between the U.S. Marshals Service and our valued law enforcement partners and it demonstrates the reach these partnerships bring to the pursuit of justice.”