Malden man and juvenile accomplice arraigned on charges stemming from Somerville shooting

  Amanual Beshah, 19, of Malden, and a male juvenile suspect were arraigned on May 3 in connection with an alleged shooting at the Mystic Activity Center in Somerville.

  According to the preliminary investigation, Somerville Police responded to the report of a shooting at approximately 2:45 p.m. on February 20. Officers found two victims, a man in his 30s and a woman in her 20s. The victims, whose identities have not been released, reportedly told police that “several males” approached their vehicle and opened fire. Remarkably, no injuries were reported despite the vehicle being riddled with bullet holes.

  Further investigation of forensic evidence and surveillance footage led police to apprehend Beshah and the juvenile suspect.

  “We have been seeing a dangerous uptick in gun violence among young people,” said Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan. “In this case the victims, who had no known connection to the defendants, were not struck, but could have very easily been injured or killed. This type of intentional discharge of weapons without any regard for public safety is putting neighbors, people’s homes and the entire community at risk.”

  Beshah and the juvenile suspect face two counts of armed assault to murder; attempted assault and battery with a firearm and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building. The juvenile has also been charged with carrying a firearm and carrying a loaded firearm. Under state law, if convicted, Beshah could be sentenced to up to 35 years in prison and be fined up to $10,000. The penalties for the juvenile suspect remain unclear. Both defendants were held pending dangerousness hearings on May 6.

  Police are continuing to search for the other suspects. Anyone with additional information should contact Somerville Police at 617-625-1600.