New Bedford Man Faces Murder Charges

District Attorney Sam Sutter and Police Cheif David Provencher say a New Bedford man has been arrested and charged with murder in the weekend shooting of 31 year old Sharone Stafford in the city's South End.

Authorities arrested 25 year old Hailton DaCosta of New Bedford Tuesday without incident at a location on Water Street.  DaCosta will be in District Court on Wednesday, answering charges of murder, armed robbery and possession of an illegal firearm.

Two other New Bedford men charged in connection with the homocide, were in court earlier this week.  Samir Baptista is charged with assessory to murder before the fact and is being held without bail.  Elito Mendes is charged with carrying an illegal firearm and obstruction of justice.  His bail is $150,000.

Sharone Stafford was found late Saturday lying near the intersection of Winsor and Crapo streets.  He was pronounced dead at St. Lukes Hospital