New Bedford Double Shooting Being Investigated as a Homicide

NEW BEDFORD — The double shooting this morning in the city’s West End is now being investigated as a homicide, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.

The shooting occurred this morning at around 10:21 a.m., with New Bedford Police receiving 911 calls regarding shots fired on LaFrance Street. Officers arrived to find one of the two victims and rushed him to St. Luke’s Hospital. The D.A.’s Office said that the victim, later identified as 40-year-old Angel Cruz, was later pronounced deceased. The D.A.’s Office said it is unclear where Mr. Cruz was currently residing.

A second shooting victim was able to get into a vehicle and attempted to drive to the hospital, but crashed in the area of Linden and County Streets. That victim, a 32-year-old New Bedford man, was rushed to St. Luke's Hospital before being transported to Rhode Island Hospital. The D.A.’s Office said this victim, who is not being identified at this time, is listed in critical condition.

Police received a description of the shooter, and about 45 minutes after the double shooting, New Bedford Police officers came upon a man matching the shooter's description near the corner of Penniman and Reynolds Streets. When officers approached the man, later identified as 18-year-old Jon Zell of Mattapoisett, he began firing a handgun at them. After firing all the bullets in the gun, police were able to subdue him and take him into custody.

No officers were injured during the incident and none of the officers returned fire on the suspect before getting him into custody.

Zell is being charged at this time with multiple counts of armed assault with intent to murder. More charges may be lodged against him as the investigation continues, the D.A.’s Office said. He is slated to be held in jail through the weekend and arraigned on Monday morning in New Bedford District Court.

New Bedford Police, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office, and Homicide Unit prosecutors are actively investigating the incident.