New Bedford Man Arraigned for Neighbor’s Murder

FALL RIVER (WBSM) — A New Bedford man has been arraigned for the murder of his neighbor with whom he was previously in a relationship.

According to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III, Wilo Morales-Colon, 49, was arraigned on Thursday, June 5 on charges of first degree murder and carrying a firearm.

He was ordered held without bail and will next be in court on July 14 for a pretrial conference.

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The charges are related to the March 4, 2025 shooting death of Karina Martinez, 32, at 438 Bolton Street in New Bedford, where both the victim and the suspect lived.

READ MORE: New Bedford Woman Shot and Killed

New Bedford Police responded to that address at about 6:20 p.m. for a report of a bloody female lying in a first-floor hallway. They arrived to find Martinez lying on the floor in front of her apartment, suffering from gunshot wounds. She was later pronounced deceased at St. Luke’s Hospital.

READ MORE: New Bedford Man Arrested for Murder of His Neighbor

It is alleged that after shooting her, Morales-Colon fled to Springfield, where he was apprehended by police a few days later. Quinn said he allegedly confessed to police that he shot Martinez and provided them with the location of the murder weapon.

Quinn said police seized the firearm used in the shooting in Morales-Colon’s vehicle.