UPDATE: Two 18-year-old men have been officially cleared of accessory charges related to a shooting incident in Brookline earlier this year. Court records confirm that both Thomas May, a Brookline resident, and Guilherme Leal De Britto Pereira from Needham, were accused of aiding a shooter but have now been exonerated.
The incident occurred on January 11, 2023, just before 1:30 a.m., when Brookline police responded to reports of gunfire near New Terrace Road. They discovered multiple spent shell casings and learned that an 18-year-old Newton man had arrived at Brigham and Women’s Hospital with a gunshot wound to the hip.
Initially arrested along with two minors, both May and Pereira faced serious charges after allegedly leaving the scene of the crime and failing to report it. However, their attorneys successfully argued that there was a lack of probable cause for the charges against them. May and Pereira maintained that they did not anticipate or assist in the shooting, which involved one of the minors allegedly firing a weapon from May’s father’s vehicle.
May was cleared on August 21, 2023, following Pereira’s exoneration in February. “When the case was finally dismissed, it was a welcome result,” said May’s attorney, Robert George. He emphasized that May aims to continue his education and build a promising future.
Pereira’s attorney, Joshua Wood, stated, “The district attorney’s office agreed that there was no probable cause. He was just as much a victim as anybody else.” Pereira, who was a passenger in the back seat during the incident, was described as cooperative throughout the investigation.
The only individuals still facing charges are the minors involved. One minor, a 17-year-old male from Roslindale, is charged with multiple counts including armed assault with intent to murder and unlawful possession of a firearm. The other minor, a 16-year-old from Brookline, faces charges related to firearm possession and being an accessory after the fact.
As this case unfolds, the emotional impact on those involved remains significant. The swift resolution for May and Pereira raises questions about the judicial process and how young individuals can be caught in serious legal situations without direct involvement in the crime.
Residents and officials are urged to stay informed as the legal proceedings continue for those still facing charges. More developments are expected in the coming weeks, and community members are encouraged to monitor updates closely.