Suspect, 20, held without bail in connection with Malden Square shooting that left victim in hospital

Second Malden shooting incident in 3 weeks; woman shot June 18 still hospitalized with serious injuries; Malden man held in Sunday’s incident was charged in 2022 shooting of grandmother in Chelsea

Advocate Staff Report

Fast-acting investigative work by Malden Police detectives and other local officers resulted in the apprehension of a suspect in the late afternoon Malden Square shooting Sunday that left one victim hospitalized. Jefferson Barillas, 20, was arrested at a Pearl Street, Malden residence at about 11:45 p.m. Sunday, less than nine hours after he was allegedly involved in a shooting outside New York Pizza at 421 Main St. in broad daylight. The victim was identified only as a 31-year-old male, who apparently sought medical attention at CHA Everett Hospital shortly after the incident on Sunday.

It was the second incident in Malden in the past three weeks where a victim was shot. An alleged shootout between multiple parties in the lobby of the Overlook Ridge apartments on Malden’s east side, at the Malden-Revere city line, left a female victim with serious injuries, according to sources, and still hospitalized as a result. A suspect in that case was apprehended a day after that shooting, on June 19.

The suspect in Sunday’s case – who apparently lives in Malden and Lynn – allegedly was involved in an unrelated shooting incident in April where a 68-year-old grandmother, an innocent bystander, was shot twice in Chelsea in April 2022. Barillas was arrested in connection with that case and charged with attempted murder and a series of other charges involving assault and firearms. According to sources, Barillas was ordered held without bail at an arraignment in Malden District Court Monday morning on assault and firearms charges pending an upcoming dangerousness hearing.

Malden Police Chief Glenn Cronin praised the work of his officers in the same-day apprehension of the suspect in the case, which began as a response to a “shots fired” report at around 2:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon, July 9.

Police responded to the call outside of the Main Street eating establishment and immediately began investigating the scene. A considerable part of the time spent by detectives from Malden Police Criminal Investigation Division (CID) on Sunday appeared to be searching the parking lot located to the side of the restaurant between Main and Ferry Streets. According to police, at approximately 2:45 p.m., “Malden Police responded to the area of 421 Main Street for ‘shots fired.’ Upon their arrival, multiple witnesses described a situation where an individual walked into the municipal parking lot while wearing a hood and ski-mask, effectively disguising his features.”

According to police, the suspect – later identified as Jefferson Barillas – “purposely pursued the victim who had just left a local restaurant [New York Pizza] and was walking towards the vehicle he had arrived in.”

Police said the suspect then “fired 4 to 5 shots at the victim who was struck. The victim left the scene and responded to” CHA Everett Hospital, and police said his wound was “non-life threatening.”

Chief Cronin said he was pleased with the work of his officers and detectives as well as the cooperation of some eyewitnesses at the scene, who provided very valuable information to the investigation. “It was through the extraordinary efforts of our police officers, detectives, and eyewitnesses, that we were able to apprehend the individual responsible for the recent shooting that took place in our community,” Chief Cronin posted on Facebook after the arrest on Pearl Street.

“The commitment to duty and exceptional professionalism of the officers involved, resulted in the swift resolution of this case, ensuring the safety and security of our city,” Chief Cronin posted on Facebook. “I would also like to acknowledge the collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies that helped in the investigation.”

“Lastly, I want to express our gratitude to the residents of our city,” Chief Cronin posted. “Your trust, cooperation, and unwavering support are crucial in our efforts to maintain public safety.”