Mattapan shooting suspect held without bail after allegedly killing 22-year-old over stolen scooter

BOSTON — A 35-year-old man is being held without bail after allegedly shooting and killing a 22-year-old man Thursday night in Mattapan, according to the Office of Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins.

Rafael Santiago, 35, was arraigned Friday for murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition.

He was arrested Thursday night after a person called 911 to report a man with a gun near Norfolk Street and Woolson Street around 8:11 p.m.

Prosecutors said Santiago approached Justin Cannady, 22, and a second man in the area of Columbia Road on Thursday. Santiago allegedly accused them of stealing a scooter from one of his relatives.

A verbal altercation started, and Santiago allegedly went to get a firearm, according to the DA’s Office. Santiago then went to Hosmer Street to confront the men again, and he was captured on video with what appears to be a firearm.

He allegedly went to the area of Norfolk and Woolsen Streets and fired at Cannady, killing him.

Because of the 911 call, Boston Police were able to nab Santiago in the area of the shooting. When officers arrived, they found him “with a revolver in his hand,” according to a statement from Boston Police.

Santiago eventually dropped the revolver after police gave verbal commands and he was taken into custody, according to the statement.

Boston Police Commissioner William Gross praised the 911 caller for alerting police saying, “This is what I’m talking about folks. These neighborhoods are not desensitized to violence and people do care, and tonight made the difference.”

The shooting in Mattapan was among a recent string of violent shootings in Boston this week. Also on Thursday, a 15-year-old boy was killed and two men were hurt in a Roxbury shooting, while four people were injured, one critically, in a Somerville shooting. Early Thursday, a 45-year-old man was shot and killed inside his car in Dorchester.

“The violence that this city saw yesterday ripped away the lives of three individuals and inflicted immeasurable trauma and harm on the communities that experience gun violence,” Rollins said.

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