New Bedford Man Arrested in Connection With Monday Homicide

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — A New Bedford man has been arrested in connection with the July 3 homicide of 20-year-old Lorenzo Gomes, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn announced Tuesday.

Sterling Robinson, 24, of New Bedford was located and arrested in Fall River Monday evening by members of the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, after the D.A.’s Office was granted an arrest warrant for him earlier in the day.

According to the D.A.’s Office, Robinson is currently charged with accessory to murder after the fact in the ongoing investigation into the slaying of Gomes, who was found in his vehicle on Belleville Avenue early Monday after a report of shots fired in the area of Tallman Street and North Front Street.

It is believed Gomes lost consciousness while attempting to drive himself to the hospital, the D.A.’s Office said. He was pronounced dead after being taken by EMS to St. Luke’s Hospital.

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Robinson is currently being held in custody and will be arraigned Wednesday morning in New Bedford District Court.

The investigation by New Bedford Police and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the D.A.’s Office remains ongoing.

Robinson appears to have a history of firearms and weapons-related charges.

In December 2017, a Sterling Robinson of the same age was arrested and charged with carrying a loaded firearm, receiving stolen property over $250, possession of a firearm without a license and on a warrant when New Bedford Police said they caught him in possession of a gun stolen out of New Hampshire.

In August 2018, a Sterling Robinson of the same age was arrested for allegedly becoming disorderly and interfering with a New Bedford Police investigation into a stolen moped at the Monte Park playground.

He was allegedly found to be in possession of a knife longer than a city ordinance allows to be carried, and police charged him with carrying a weapon, interfering with a police officer, assault and battery on a police officer, and receiving stolen property, after they said they linked him to the stolen moped.

In September 2021, a Sterling Robinson of the same age was arrested after police said he flashed a firearm on social media posts while allegedly driving through rival gang territory. When stopped, police said a search of the vehicle turned up a 9mm pistol loaded with eight rounds that had been reported stolen out of New Bedford, as well as a pound of marijuana.

He was arrested then on a variety of charges including firearm and ammunition possession, receiving stolen property, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and motor vehicle offenses.