JOINT RELEASE: Men Wanted In Connection with Fatal March Shooting in Malden Located in California
MALDEN – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Malden Chief of Police Kevin Molis have announced that Yahia Mastouri, 18, of Malden and Josue Espada, 20, of Malden who were being sought in connection with the March 2, 2019 fatal shooting of Jeury Batista, 23, of Salem, MA, have been located and are currently in custody in Los Angeles California. A rendition hearing was scheduled today, arrangements will subsequently be made to transport the defendants back to Massachusetts, should they waive rendition, to face charges related to the homicide in Malden District Court.
Earlier this month Malden Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office were informed by United States Marshals in Los Angeles that the Los Angeles Police had encountered two males during an unrelated criminal investigation that they believed to be Mastouri and Espada. Upon further investigation authorities positively identified the suspects. On May 11, 2019, Los Angeles Police located the suspects at a Motel and placed them under arrest on the Massachusetts warrants.
Mastouri has been charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, assault with intent to rob and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Espada has been charged with accessory after the fact.
On March 2 at approximately 6:18 p.m. Malden Police responded to a report of a shooting that had occurred at Bowdoin Apartments. A 23-year-old male, identified as Jeury Batista, had been shot and was transported to Melrose Wakefield Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The preliminary investigation suggests that the shooting occurred as part of a suspected drug transaction and is not believed to be a random incident of violence.
This is an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Malden Police Department and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office with assistance from the United States Marshal’s Office and Los Angeles Police. Additional charges are expected.