Man Charged With Manslaughter in New Bedford Fatal Shooting

A 33-year-old New Bedford man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with last Friday's fatal shooting of Keven Rocha at 17 Margin Street in the South End of New Bedford, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced today.

Ricardo Velez-Gonzalez was arrested Wednesday afternoon in Eastham by the District Attorney's Massachusetts State Police Unit, Eastham Police, the Massachusetts State Police STOP Team, the state police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section and the state police D-Troop CAT Team.

On July 21, police and prosecutors were granted an arrest warrant for the defendant out of New Bedford District Court on a charge of manslaughter. On July 22, investigators received reliable information that Velez-Gonzalez was staying at a friend's apartment in Eastham, Quinn's office said. After conducting surveillance, investigators confirmed the defendant was inside and took him into custody without incident.

Velez-Gonzalez was held overnight and arraigned today in New Bedford District Court. Assistant District Attorney Gillian Kirsch requested a dangerousness hearing and a bail revocation hearing. Judge Paul Pino ordered the defendant held without bail pending the results of those hearings set for July 30.

The bail revocation request is based on several pending criminal cases against the defendant out of New Bedford District Court and Falmouth District Court, Quinn's office said.

New Bedford Police, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office and Homicide Unit prosecutors continue to actively investigate the fatal shooting which occurred between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. on July 17, when New Bedford Police responded to 17 Margin Street early and discovered Rocha had been fatally shot inside of the multi-family building.