BREAKING: Two 18-year-old men, Thomas May from Brookline and Guilherme Leal De Britto Pereira from Needham, have been cleared of accessory charges related to a shooting incident that occurred on January 11, 2023. Court records reveal that both were initially arrested but have since been exonerated, with May receiving his clearance as recently as August 21.
The incident unfolded just before 1:30 a.m. on the night of the shooting when Brookline police responded to multiple reports of gunfire near New Terrace Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered spent shell casings and learned that an 18-year-old male from Newton had arrived at Brigham and Women’s Hospital with a gunshot wound to the hip.
Authorities later connected the shooting to a vehicle that May was driving, from which shots were allegedly fired by a minor passenger. The police investigation led to the arrests of May, Pereira, and two other minors. One of the minors, a 17-year-old from Roslindale, faces serious charges, including four counts of armed assault with intent to murder. The other, a 16-year-old from Brookline, was charged with multiple firearm-related offenses.
Both May and Pereira were charged with being accessories after the fact for allegedly leaving the scene and failing to report the crime. Their attorneys argued successfully that there was a lack of probable cause for the charges. “When the case was finally dismissed, it was a welcome result,” said Robert George, May’s attorney. He added that May hopes to focus on his education and future after this incident.
Pereira’s attorney, Joshua Wood, emphasized that his client was cooperative and had no involvement in the shooting. “He was just as much a victim as anybody else,” Wood stated, highlighting that Pereira was merely a passenger during the incident.
As the legal situation continues to develop, both cleared individuals look forward to moving on from this troubling chapter. Meanwhile, the minors involved remain under serious scrutiny and face ongoing legal challenges.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds and more information becomes available.
