New Bedford Gang Member Sentenced to Life in Prison for Brad Lourenco Murder

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — A New Bedford gang member has been sentenced for the conviction of second-degree murder in the 2017 killing of Brad Lourenco.

On Monday, November 26, a Fall River Superior Court judge sentenced Ivan Fontanez, 26, to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years.

Fontanez's charges date back to June of 2017 when a gunshot that he fired struck Brad Lourenco, an aspiring rapper known as "Young Bank$," in the back of the head at Clemente Park.

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After fleeing the scene while being chased by South End Gang members, Fontanez eventually was apprehended by police.

In addition to the life sentence, the jury also convicted Fontanez of carrying an illegal firearm and carrying a loaded illegal firearm.

“This was a gang-related killing committed by the defendant in broad daylight to avenge the recent shooting of his half-brother. The murder was committed at a park with complete disregard for the safety of others who were in the vicinity of the shooting. It was particularly disturbing that associates of the defendant came to the trial during the testimony of several civilian witnesses with clear intent to influence their testimony. While they have a right to watch the trial, any attempt to influence or intimidate a witness's testimony undermines our system of justice,” District Attorney Thomas Quinn said.

“I commend the jury for focusing on the evidence and convicting the defendant of murder. The defendant was on probation at the time he committed the murder and received a five year sentence for committing a violent crime. He clearly is a danger to the community. I would like to thank the prosecution team for their efforts at trial, which led to the murder conviction," Quinn said.