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'Armed and dangerous' murder suspect now in police custody

RANDOLPH, Mass. — Authorities have captured a man wanted in connection with a homicide on Petipas Lane in Randolph Monday night.

Investigators say Justin Gaston was known to someone at the home where the deadly shooting occurred around 8 p.m. Monday.

The DA's office earlier called the suspect was considered "armed and dangerous.'

On Tuesday afternoon, Mass. State Police announced that Gaston surrendered to troopers, Lynn Police and Randolph Police officers on Richards Street in Lynn.

“I didn’t know what was going on," said neighbor Walter Godlewski, who watched the capture unfold from across the street.

State Police say Monday's homicide investigation led them to Lynn Tuesday.

Authorities say Gaston shot and killed his former roommate, 33-year-old Haki Sanders, who lived at 27 Petipas Lane in Randolph and previously lived in Dorchester. Investigators say the two knew each other well and the suspect would often visit or stay with the victim.

"It’s very scary for the kids, having a person who murdered somebody in the neighborhood," said one Randolph mother who asked not to be identified.

Authorities did not elaborate on Gaston’s connection to Lynn, where he was arrested.

But Boston 25 News has learned a prior 2012 drug conviction on Gaston’s record was thrown out because of the misconduct scandal involving former state chemist Annie Dookhan.

It’s unclear if he’d still be serving time, but neighbors in both Randolph and Lynn are relieved by his latest arrest.

“I’m glad it’s over. Now I can be comfortable," Godlewski said.

State Police detectives assigned to the Norfolk County DA's Office and Randolph police responded to the murder scene around 8 p.m. Monday.

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Neighbors, who told Boston 25 News that they heard at least three shots fired, called the homicide disturbing.

"I heard three loud bangs. At the time, I was in my kitchen, I wasn't sure what it was. I was a little suspicious at first, because I'm like, 'Who's banging at this time?'" It was probably about 8 o'clock," said a woman who asked not to be identified.

She went down to her basement to check the locks, and when she came back upstairs she saw police cruiser lights nearby.

"From there, I knew that something wasn't OK," the woman said.

The investigation is ongoing. Gaston is expected to be arraigned Wednesday morning.