A 22-year-old Boston man accused of shooting his 12-year-old brother to death in July was ordered held on a $250,000 cash bail after appearing in court on new charges Thursday, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office confirmed to MassLive.
Walter Hendrick, of Roxbury, appeared in Suffolk Superior Court Sept. 21 after he was arrested on new charges in connection with the shooting death of Savion Ellis on July 13
Hendrick was arrested on charges of manslaughter, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a large capacity feeding device and witness intimidation on Wednesday, Boston police said.
Hendrick was previously charged with improper storage of a firearm (someone under 18 has potential access), unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition, Boston police previously said.
During his arraignment Thursday, prosecutors claimed the gun that killed Ellis belonged to Hendrick, and that his fingerprints were found on the trigger, 7News reported. However, the defense argued that the shooting was an accident.
“He is crushed by the death of his 12-year-old brother,” defense attorney Susan Neff said, according to WBZ-TV. “He would do anything to make it not so and that if he could trade his own life for his brother’s, he would.”
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At 2:05 p.m. on July 13, police responded to a call that a child had been shot near 35 Fessenden St. in Mattapan, police said. The address is listed as a multi-family home on Google Maps.
Officials said attempts to revive the child were unsuccessful, and he was declared dead after he was brought to the hospital. The boy was later identified as Ellis, according to police.
Hendrick was identified in court as Savion’s older brother, NBC10 Boston reported. Mayor Michelle Wu called the situation a “nightmare for a mom” and for a family, and expressed condolences.
Hendrick pleaded not guilty to the new charges and will be back in court Oct. 24, the district attorney’s office said. Meanwhile, the shooting remains under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Boston Police Homicide Detectives at 617-343-4470. Anonymous tips can be made by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word “TIP” to CRIME (27463).
