New Bedford Man Sentenced in Apartment Shooting

FALL RIVER (WBSM) — A New Bedford man was sentenced to state prison after pleading guilty to gun charges in Fall River Superior Court.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced that Lyrik Vernosky, 28, pled guilty to two counts of assault and battery by discharge of a firearm and unlawful carrying of a firearm with one prior violent crime or serious drug offense. He was sentenced to serve four and a half years in state prison.

READ MORE: Suspect Arrested in Tallman Street Shooting

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Details of the Apartment Shooting

The charges date back to February 6, 2021, when New Bedford Police responded to 78 Tallman Street for a report of shots fired. They arrived to find two victims in the fourth floor apartment, identified as Jesus Torres and Jose Ramos.

Torres sustained a gunshot wound to his lower back area and Ramos sustained a gunshot wound to his arm, which also penetrated his lower back. Both victims were taken to the hospital for medical treatment.

Officers noticed several bullet holes in the apartment door. Ramos identified Vernosky as the shooter. He said Vernosky had knocked on Ramos’ door and asked if Ramos had fired shots the previous night. Ramos said no, and then Vernosky pulled the door closed and began shooting through it.

Ramos identified Vernosky in a photograph and told police the shooting was over “turf” related to drug dealing. A neighbor corroborated the story of a third man arguing with the two victims and shooting through the apartment door.

Witness Cooperation Challenges

While Vernosky awaited trial, Torres was killed in a separate, unrelated incident. Ramos and the neighbor were not cooperative during the trial process.

District Attorney’s Statement on the Case

"I am pleased that the defendant was held accountable for this senseless act of violence which resulted in two people being shot,” D.A. Quinn said. “Unfortunately, the witnesses were not cooperative and one of the victims was murdered while the case was pending. This case highlights the difficulties prosecutors face in these types of cases. It appears the shooting was connected to drug dealing.”