Authorities say an arrest has been made in connection with a triple shooting at a bar and restaurant in New Bedford, Massachusetts, early Saturday that left one man dead and two women injured.
Police were called to Morna Lounge and Grill on Acushnet Avenue around 1:21 a.m. Saturday and found the three gunshot victims, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.
All three were taken to St. Luke’s Hospital. The man, identified as New Bedford resident Cristiano Macedo, 27, died of his injuries. The women, identified as being in their 20s, underwent treatment. No update on their condition was available Monday.
The district attorney's office announced Monday morning that 19-year-old Danielson Verela, of New Bedford, was arrested Sunday night and charged with first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm and two counts of assault and battery with a firearm.
Verela was held without bail at an arraignment Monday in New Bedford District Court. Prosecutors in court didn't share more details on what's believed to have happened; Verela's lawyer didn't oppose the motion to hold him.
New Bedford's police chief on Monday ordered the indefinite closure of Morna Lounge and Grill, citing public safety for the emergency measure.
"Based upon the history of prior incidents and the recent shooting on Saturday at the premises, in the interest of public safety and to ensure that there is no retaliation stemming from Saturday's shootings you are ordered to cease operation of the Morna Lounge and Grill at the premises," Chief Paul Oliveira wrote in a letter to the business, according to the department.
They said there was a fatal shooting behind the restaurant this summer, and that the New Bedford Licensing Board issued multiple probations and suspensions between 2021 and 2023 over violations that took place on 13 different nights.