Chelsea Man Arraigned in Lowell Double Murder

WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan announced today that a Chelsea man has been arraigned in connection with the August 10 shooting deaths in Lowell of brothers Keith Callahan and Joseph Callahan.

Dara Poum, 28, of Chelsea was arraigned in Lowell District Court on October 9 on charges of murder (two counts), armed burglary, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and assault with a dangerous weapon.

The defendant was arraigned before Lowell District Court Judge Mark Sullivan, and ordered held without bail. A probable cause hearing is scheduled for December 9.

“This terrifying incident was a devastating loss for the families, especially the five children who lost their fathers far too soon,” District Attorney Ryan said. “It was a cruel and violent attack inside a family’s home.”

Keith Callahan, 35, and Joseph Callahan, 29, were shot and killed in their apartment, at 105 Andrews Street.

According to authorities, the defendant allegedly entered the brothers’ apartment after 2 a.m. the morning of August 10 and demanded to see someone who was not in the apartment. After allegedly displaying a gun, the defendant struggled with the brothers and both men were shot fatally, allegedly by the defendant.

While at the apartment, authorities allege the defendant discarded a cigarette, which provided investigators with a DNA profile. That profile was searched in a national database and matched to the alleged defendant. Investigators later found that the defendant was wanted for allegedly failing to appear in court and he was arrested on August 20 in Chelsea.

District Attorney Ryan credited the Lowell Police, crime labs in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the suspect sketch done by Det. Ian Spencer of Lincoln Police and the efforts of Chelsea Police, Providence R.I. police and the detectives and major crimes fugitive units of the Massachusetts State Police.
 
These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutor assigned to the case is Assistant District Attorney Steven Loughlin. The Victim Witness Advocate is Katie Keefe.