BPD: Fugitive in fatal officer-involved shooting arrested, victim identified

BOSTON — A man has been arrested in connection to a fatal officer-involved shooting that happened in Dorchester this week.

Ernest Watkins, 21, of Dorchester, was arrested on Tuesday in the area of Melville Avenue and Dorchester Avenue. Watkins is being charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

According to police, Watkins is the second suspect tied to the shooting that killed a 19-year-old boy on Monday afternoon. The 19-year-old has been identified as Jaymil Ellerbe of Boston.

At around 5:15 p.m., Boston Police officers responded to a radio call for shots fired in the area of 506 Geneva Avenue in Dorchester.

At the scene, officers found two black men running away from the scene and began chasing both suspects. They each ran in different directions, where one of the suspects, wielding a gun, started to shoot at the officers, who then shot back.

Witnesses at the scene are defending the actions of police, saying the suspect was ordered multiple times to drop his weapon before officers had to fire back.

"The officer was telling him to 'Drop it, drop it, drop it, drop it,'" said Bukola, a witness. "So, like I said, the officer really hesitated in shooting him. He did not want to."

Ellerbe, the suspect who police say shot at the officers was fatally wounded, while the second suspect, now identified as Watkins, was able to escape.

"I was trying to take a nap and gunshots woke me up and then the sirens and the whole thing and it was a real tragedy," said Reverend Eugene Rivers, a neighbor.

Watkins was arraigned on Wednesday on the aforementioned charges where a judge ordered $25,000 bail. Watkins must also wear a GPS monitor and remain under home confinement if he makes bail.

According to the DA's Office, Watkins is also charged as a Level 1 armed career criminal based on his 2015 conviction for involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2012 homicide of 39-year-old Cherby LaJoie. Then, prosecutors recommended he be sentenced for 12 to 15 years for the fatal stabbing. A judge sentenced him to four to five years.

The investigation into this incident continues and police urge anyone with information on the shooting to contact them at 617-343-4470.

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