Lowell Murder Suspect Nabbed in Fall River

A man accused of shooting and killing a 23-year-old woman in Lowell was arrested in Fall River Tuesday by Massachusetts State Police.

Xavier DeJesus, 20, of Lowell, is charged with murder in the June 23 death of Deija Mendez, according to the Middlesex District Attorney's Office. DeJesus was scheduled to be arraigned this morning in Lowell District Court on charges of murder, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, carrying a firearm without a license, and possession of ammunition without an FID card.

According to prosecutors, Mendez was sitting in the driver’s seat of a black Chevy Tahoe SUV outside a residence on Coral Street when DeJesus shot her in the head. The shooting took place in broad daylight.  At the time, the two knew each other and may have had a dispute about a car, the DA's office said.

DeJesus was quickly identified as a suspect, and the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section added his name to their most-wanted list. On Monday, police developed information that DeJesus might be in the Fall River area. On Tuesday, five weeks after the killing, DeJesus was found by state police hiding in the basement of a Fall River home at 132 Stevens Street.

Corey Roy, 20, of Lowell was also arrested Tuesday and charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder. Roy allegedly helped DeJesus evade detection, the DA's office said. Roy was also due for arraignment today.

State Police Detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, Fall River Police and State Police Detectives assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office assisted in the apprehension of DeJesus. The prosecutor assigned to the case is Christopher Tarrant.