Suspects in deadly Mission Hill store shooting arraigned

BOSTON — A memorial continues to grow outside a Mission Hill hardware store after its owner was shot and killed during an apparent robbery Tuesday afternoon.

Gunfire erupted inside the AC Hardware store at 1562 Tremont St. around 4 p.m., and witnesses told police that they saw three people leave the store and get into a van right after. Before being shot, Cruz reportedly used a knife to defend himself, slashing one suspect in the arm and another in the finger.

Police were able to track the van down about a mile away, and after a brief chase the three suspects were arrested.

The three suspects were identified as 21-year-old Christian Soto-Olivero, of Mattapan, 38-year-old Jerome D. Hobson, of Dorchester, and 26-year-old Shawn Redden, of Brockton.

Jerome Hobson and Shawn Redden were arraigned Wednesday on the charges of with unlawful possession of firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and murder.

In court, the judge allowed the suspects to hide their faces and then ordered them held without bail.

Some members in the court audience wiped away tears as the facts of the case were read.

Soto-Olivero was arraigned from his hospital bed.

MORE: Mission Hill hardware store owner killed during apparent robbery

The community is now filled with shock and disbelief as it comes to terms with the loss of Andres Cruz.
"No one should suffer the loss of life when all they're trying to do is make a living," Boston police Commissioner William Evans said. "Obviously a very hard working, well-respected merchant in the area."

Just last month, AC Hardware was named Mission Hill Business of the Year.

“This guy is an icon in this community and you just wouldn’t believe that anyone, because he’s known by everyone, would want to harm him,” neighbor Bruce Pickerstaff said. “I know one thing - this is truly senseless.”

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said that while this may sound like violence that has been happening around the city all summer, it isn't the same.

“This is different than what we’re dealing with on a day to day basis allegedly we have three punks here who came to this neighborhood and brought a lot of pain and suffering into this community,” he said.

None of the suspects have violent criminal pasts, but all three had been charged at various points with drug offenses.

Cox Media Group