Suspect in shooting of 16-year-old girl in Lawrence arrested in Dorchester

LAWRENCE, Mass. — A suspect in a shooting that injured a 16-year-old girl last week in Lawrence has been arrested and will face a judge Thursday, according to a release from the Essex County District Attorney's Office.

Massachusetts State Police detectives arrested 36-year-old Jose Rivera in Dorchester Wednesday night, the DA's office said. Rivera, of Dorchester, is accused of shooting a 16-year-old girl at the scene of a large group fight in the middle of High Street in Lawrence on Jan. 11.

>>PREVIOUS: 16-year-old girl identified as victim of Lawrence shooting

Rivera is charged with three counts of armed assault to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm with two prior violent/drug crimes, the DA's office said. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Lawrence District Court Thursday.

During the time of the fight, a black BMW that was transporting several individuals involved in the situation drove onto the street. One of the occupants of the vehicle exited the car before firing several rounds into the air. The girl who was a passenger in that vehicle – was struck by one of the multiple rounds subsequently fired into the car as it was leaving the scene.

Christian Figueroa, 20, – who police said was the driver of the black BMW  – had an active warrant out for his arrest for an unrelated shooting and was arrested at the hospital after the shooting and arraigned earlier this week on two counts of illegally carrying a firearm and illegal discharge of a firearm.

>>PREVIOUS: 16-year-old girl identified as victim of Lawrence shooting

Cox Media Group