Overview
- Two young men were found dead on Aetna Street on Wednesday night, one with a metal pitchfork lodged in the back of his head and the other showing severe blunt-force trauma, police and prosecutors said.
- Investigators located 28-year-old Vitor Francisco Gomes about a block from the scene covered in blood and carrying a bag that contained a gun and ammunition, and he was arrested after a short foot pursuit.
- Gomes has been charged with two counts of murder plus unlawful carrying of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition; he pleaded not guilty at arraignment and was ordered held without bail with a return hearing on July 14.
- Police recovered physical evidence at the scene and nearby, including stones and a spade, reported bullet impacts and traces of blood in a parked vehicle, and are interviewing witnesses who described shots fired and an earlier informal sparring event.
- The defense has said the killings may be self-defense while prosecutors describe a brutal attack, and state police assigned to the Bristol County district attorney’s office are reviewing surveillance and witness statements as the investigation continues.