Everett man, 22, found guilty of murder after Homecoming Football Game in 2021

Special to The Advocate

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Everett Chief of Police Paul Strong announced that Michael J. Stanton, 22, of Everett, was convicted of second-degree murder for fatally shooting Craig McDonald, Jr., 20, of Randolph, on October 22, 2021. The shooting followed the annual homecoming football game in Everett.

“This case is an example of the dangerous trend of young people illegally possessing firearms and using them to perpetrate violence in our communities. As hundreds of students, families and other spectators milled around the stadium celebrating an annual football tradition, the defendant brazenly tracked McDonald down in that same neighborhood. When he found him, he used an illegally possessed firearm to end his life. This was truly a senseless tragedy. Although nothing can mitigate the harm done by this defendant, this prosecution reflects our commitment to holding accountable those who commit these violent acts,” said District Attorney Ryan.

On October 22, 2021, at approximately 7:57 p.m., Everett Police responded to a 911 call reporting shots being fired in the area of Revere Street and Second Street. Minutes later, Everett Police were notified that Craig McDonald, Jr. had been taken to the CHA Everett Hospital Emergency Department suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

The investigation revealed that the shooting occurred after a conflict on social media. On the day of the murder, the involved parities attended the homecoming game where the defendant and his friends actively monitored McDonald and his girlfriend. When the victim left the game, Stanton and his friends followed him to his car and shot him while he was seated in his parked car.

Stanton, who was 19 years old at the time, was convicted following a three-week trial.  Stanton’s co-defendant, Luiz Perlera, who is also charged with the murder of McDonald, Jr., is scheduled to be tried on October 23, 2024, in Middlesex Superior Court.

The Assistant District Attorneys assigned to this case are Carrie Spiros, Andrew Ineson and Tim Ferriter. The Victim Witness Advocate is Susan Marshall. The case was investigated jointly by the Everett and Massachusetts State Police.