Lowell Man Sentenced To Life Without Parole For 2011 Murder

WOBURN - Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that SothyVoeun, 24, of Lowell, was sentenced yesterday to life without parole on a charge of first degree murder. In addition, Lowell Superior Court Judge Heidi Brieger sentenced Voeunto five years to five years and one day in prison on and after that sentence for the charges of armed assault with intent to murder (8 counts).

"Yesterday’s sentencing concludes a significant chapter of this case,” said District Attorney Ryan. “Sothy Voeun and his co-defendant shot eight people at close range simply because they were asked to leave a New Year’s gathering. Due to their actions, a 20-year-old woman tragically lost her life and seven other people sustained gunshot wounds.”

On January 1, 2011, at approximately 1:20 a.m., Lowell Police responded to reports of shots fired on Grand Street in Lowell. Upon arrival, police discovered eight victims in a basement apartment suffering from gunshot wounds. Victims ranged in age from 14 to 20 and their injuries included gunshot wounds to the neck, back of the head, jaw, arms, and abdomen. Corinna Oeur sustained two gunshot wounds to the chest and was transported to Saints Memorial Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.

Authorities immediately began an investigation and learned that Sothy Voeun and Jameson Phuon, 25, of Lowell, arrived at a New Year’s party on Grand Street before 1:00 a.m. Shortly after their arrival an altercation took place and the defendants were thrown out of the residence. The defendants returned moments later armed with rifles and proceeded to open fire on the partygoers before fleeing

In March of 2015, Jameson Phuon was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

This incident was investigated by the Lowell Police Department and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

The prosecutors assigned to this case were Assistant District Attorney Suzanne Kontzand Assistant District Attorney Nicole Nixon. The Victim Witness Advocates were Dora Quiroz and Kathleen Keefe.