Second Defendant In 2011 Lowell Murder Convicted
WOBURN – Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan and Lowell Police Superintendent William Taylor have announced that Sothy Voeun, 24, of Lowell, was found guilty today in Lowell Superior Court of first degree murder, armed assault with intent to murder (8 counts), assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (8 counts), discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, possession of a large capacity firearm without a license, possession of a rifle without a license, possession of a loaded firearm (2 counts), and possession of ammunition (2 counts).
Judge Heidi Brieger scheduled sentencing for Friday, February 19, 2016 at 2:00 pm.
“The defendant in this case was asked to leave a New Year’s Eve party and his reaction was to return with a friend and open fire on the attendees,” stated District Attorney Ryan. “As a result of this reckless and indiscriminate act of violence, a 20-year-old woman, Corinna Oeur, tragically lost her life and seven others sustained serious injuries. Our thoughts remain with the victims and their families.”
Superintendent Taylor added, “I would like to thank the members of the jury, the District Attorney’s Office and all the police officers who assisted in this investigation. Your combined efforts provide a small measure of closure to the family of Ms. Oeur and send a strong message that violence will not be tolerated in Lowell.”
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 Ouer 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. Investigators retrieved 21 shell casings from the scene.
In March of 2015, Jameson Phuon was convicted of first degree murder, armed assault with the intent to murder (8 counts), assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury (3 counts), assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (5 counts), possession of a rifle without a license, possession of a large capacity firearm without a license, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, and 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 Kontz and Assistant District Attorney Nicole Nixon. The Victim Witness Advocates were Dora Quiroz and Kathleen Keefe.