Massachusetts man convicted of fatally injuring man who was protecting safety of others

LAWRENCE, Mass. – On Tuesday, Luis Polanco, 30, of Lawrence, was convicted of murdering Wilson Javier of Lawrence, who was 35 at the time of his death, the Office of Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker announces. An Essex County jury in Lawrence Superior Court found Polanco guilty of second-degree murder, unlicensed possession of a firearm, and unlicensed possession of a loaded firearm.

Arguing the case before the Hon. Elizabeth A. Dunigan, Assistant District Attorney Maria Markos introduced the jury to evidence which demonstrated that, shortly before midnight on New Year’s Eve of 2019 leading into the 2020 new year, Polanco fired a shot into the ceiling at a party in progress located at 7B Summer Street in Lawrence, declaring that the party was over. When Javier then attempted to get the gun away from Polanco in order to protect the safety of his fellow partygoers, witnesses testified that Polanco shot Javier three times, killing him.

Polanco will return to Superior Court for a sentencing hearing scheduled for Tuesday, February 18 at 2:00 p.m.

In addition to Markos, the Commonwealth was represented by Superior Court Chief James Gubitose and Victim/Witness Advocate Jocelyn Pichardo. Polanco was represented by attorney George Murphy.