Third Suspect Arrested and Charged with Murder In Connection with Fatal Fire in Lowell

LOWELL - Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey, Lowell Police Superintendent Kelly Richardson and Lowell Fire Chief Phil Charron have confirmed that Alexander Gaye, 16 of Lowell, has been arrested and charged with murder, arson of a dwelling, three counts of armed assault to murder, injury to a firefighter and intimidation of a witness in connection with intentionally setting fire to a building located at Westford Street on February 10, 2021. The fire resulted in the death of third-floor resident Em Chak, injured three other tenants, two Lowell firefighters and one police officer.  It displaced over 50 people.

Alexander Gaye is expected to be arraigned tomorrow morning in Lowell District Court.

Today, at approximately 3:20 p.m., a Lowell Police detective was traveling in the vicinity of Merrimack Street when he spotted an individual who was believed to be Alexander Gaye. Subsequently, detectives approached Mr. Gaye, positively identified him and placed him under arrest without incident.  

Gaye’s co-defendant, Julian Boykins, 20 of Lowell was arrested at a Pawtucket Street residence without incident on March 11, 2021. Boykins was arraigned on March 12, 2021, on the charges of murder, arson of a dwelling, three counts of armed assault to murder, injury to a firefighter, intimidation of a witness and conspiracy. Judge Stacey Fortes ordered the defendant to be held without bail. The next date in that case is April 1, 2021.

Tanya Karadanis, 19 of Dracut, was arrested on March 11, 2021 and arraigned on the charges of evidence tampering and conspiracy. Judge Ellen Caulo set bail at $5,000 cash with conditions that she stay away from and have no contact with any victims or codefendants and submit to GPS monitoring with certain exceptions for work. The next date is March 15, 2021.

This investigation is being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to that office, the State Fire Marshal’s Office and Massachusetts State Police assigned to that office, Lowell Police, Lowell Fire, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Apprehension Section and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office.

The prosecutors assigned to this case are Christopher Tarrant and Maren Schrader. The victim witness advocate is Renee Leone.

The prior press release on this incident can be viewed here.