For Immediate Release: January 21, 2008

Contact: Corey Welford/Jessica Venezia 617-679-6522

                                                                                               
Arrest Made In Connection With Sunday’s Lowell Homicide

LOWELL – Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone and Lowell Police Superintendent Kenneth Lavallee informed the public today that an arrest has been made in connection with the murder of Jose A. Villanueva in Lowell early yesterday morning.

Last evening, Lowell Police and Nashua Police arrested Malein Meas, 24, of Lowell, at a Red Roof Inn in Nashua. Police had applied for and been granted an arrest warrant for Meas on a charge of first degree murder in Lowell District Court yesterday afternoon. Meas was arrested in Nashua on a fugitive from justice complaint as a result of the outstanding arrest warrant.

“We allege that this is another example of a young person possessing and then using deadly weapons to resolve a conflict,” District Attorney Leone said. “I want to commend the Lowell Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police for their quick and efficient work in piecing together the evidence in this case, making an arrest within 24 hours of the incident. We also want to thank Nashua Police for their cooperation in making this arrest last evening.”

“On early Sunday morning, a spontaneous confrontation took place between the defendant and the victim.  Unfortunately, we allege that the suspect had ready access to a firearm which resulted in the victim being shot,” Lowell Police Superintendent Lavallee said. “Illegal firearms are plaguing our community and we all have to make a concerted effort to get these guns off the streets.  I also want to congratulate Lowell and State Police detectives and the DA’s office who worked tirelessly throughout the weekend to bring this investigation to a conclusion.”      

According to authorities, at approximately 2 a.m. yesterday, Lowell Police responded to reports of gunshots outside a 7-11 store on the corner of Westford and Chelmsford Streets in Lowell. When they arrived, officers found a victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The victim, Villanueva, 36, of Lowell, was transported to Lowell General Hospital and pronounced dead.

Lowell police and State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office commenced an immediate investigation into the circumstances of the incident. As a result of the investigation, it is alleged that Meas had a brief altercation with words exchanged with the victim and then shot Villanueva multiple times, resulting in his death.

Meas will be arraigned in Nashua District Court tomorrow morning on the fugitive from justice charge.

These charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Dunigan. The case is investigated by Lowell Police and State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

###