Fall River Man Convicted in 2019 Murder of New Bedford Teen

FALL RIVER (WBSM) — One of three suspects involved in the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old New Bedford boy back in 2019 has been convicted of his murder.

Kevin Edwards of Fall River was convicted by a jury in Fall River Superior Court of murder, assault and battery with a firearm and other firearms offenses related to the October 2019 killing of Paul Collazo-Ruiz in New Bedford.

Edwards is scheduled to be sentenced on May 22 in Fall River Superior Court.

“I am very pleased that the jury has held the defendant accountable for his brazen daytime murder of one victim and serious injury inflicted on the second victim,” Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said. “I want to thank the prosecution team for their efforts in obtaining a conviction in a very difficult case.”

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The Crime Occurred in October 2019

On October 19, 2019 at about 7:05 p.m., New Bedford Police responded to the area of 160 Ashley Boulevard for reports of an apparent shooting involving two victims.

READ MORE: New Bedford Homicide Victim Identified

Police and paramedics arrived to find Collazo-Ruiz and a 20-year-old New Bedford man both suffering from gunshot wounds. Collazo-Ruiz was pronounced deceased at the scene by paramedics, while the 20-year-old was rushed to the hospital. He eventually recovered from his wounds but was reportedly paralyzed.

Three People Indicted in Connection with Collazo-Ruiz’s Murder

In May 2021, three suspects were indicted in connection with the incident.

READ MORE: Three Indicted in New Bedford Teen's Murder

Kevin Edwards, 22, of Fall River, was indicted on charges of murder; assault and battery by discharge of a firearm; carrying an illegal firearm; and unlawful possession of a large capacity feeding device.

Mauricio Pineda, 25, of New Bedford, was indicted on charges of murder; accessory to murder before the fact; assault and battery by discharge of a firearm; carrying an illegal firearm; unlawful possession of a large capacity feeding device; possession of an illegal firearm; and two counts of unlawful possession of a large capacity feeding device.

Ashlee Cambra, 23, of Fall River, was indicted on a single count of accessory to murder after the fact for driving Edwards and Pineda to Florida following the shooting. In July 2022, she pled guilty to her role in this and in another shooting and was sentenced to up to six years in state prison.

READ MORE: Fall River Woman Sentenced for Role in Multiple Shootings

Co-Defendant Pineda Will Be Sentenced Tomorrow

The D.A.’s Office said Mauricio Pineda was called by the Commonwealth to testify in Edwards’ trial, and will be sentenced himself on May 16 in Fall River Superior Court.