Lowell Man Arraigned in Connection with Alleged Gunfire

LOWELL – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that Jody Boykins, 22, of Lowell, was arraigned today in Lowell District Court and charged with attempting to commit assault and battery by discharging a firearm, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a firearm without a license, and three counts of vandalizing property in connection with two separate incidents that occurred on August 5 and 6 involving alleged gunshots in Lowell. Judge John Coffey ordered the defendant held without bail pending a 58A dangerousness hearing scheduled for August 13.

At approximately 2:02 p.m. on August 5, 2018, Lowell Police responded to a report of gun shots in the area of Smith and Brant streets in Lowell. Upon arrival authorities spoke with witnesses who reported that that a Honda Civic allegedly fled the area toward Westford Street following gunshots.

Following an investigation, authorities learned that on August 5 the defendant had allegedly seen the male victim, who is known to him, entering a variety store on Branch Street, and waited outside for him to exit. Upon exiting the store, the victim was allegedly confronted by the defendant and an alleged physical altercation ensued in which the victim was repeatedly assaulted. The victim returned to his apartment before exiting and reengaging with the defendant. It was then that the defendant allegedly fired 5-6 gunshots in the area of Smith and Brant Streets in Lowell.

Video surveillance obtained by investigators allegedly showed the defendant firing gun shots within just 10 feet of occupied dwellings.

On August 6, Lowell police observed the defendant operating a motor vehicle on French Street in Lowell that matched a description of the defendant’s vehicle given to police during their investigation. Lowell Police then conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. As a result of a search, Boykins was allegedly found to be in possession of a firearm without a license. The defendant was placed under arrest and transported to the Lowell Police Department.

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

The prosecutor assigned to today’s arraignment was Assistant District Attorney Lyndsey Davis.

This past legislative session District Attorney Ryan filed H.908/S.839, “An Act to Prohibit Gunfire Directed at Dwelling Houses” sponsored by former State Senator Eileen Donahue and State Representative Rady Mom. The bill would have given the Commonwealth the ability to charge a defendant with a more precise charge for intentionally discharging a firearm at a dwelling and would impose a penalty proportionate to the crime. This bill is a recognition that over the last few years, there has been an alarming increase statewide in this dangerous activity directed at residential buildings, particularly in densely-populated urban communities.