CONTACT: BETH STONE 508-584-8120
PLYMOUTH – A man has pleaded not guilty to Murder and gun charges in the fatal weekend shooting of a man in a Plymouth parking lot, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.
Today, in Plymouth District Court, David Jerome, 23, of Plymouth pleaded not guilty to one count each of Murder, Discharging a Firearm within 500 feet of a Building, Reckless Endangerment of a Child, Improper Storage of a Firearm, Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Improper Storage of Ammunition, and Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device. He was held without bail.
The charges follow an investigation by Massachusetts State Police and Plymouth Police into a fatal shooting which occurred at approximately 5:45 p.m. on Friday. At that time, Plymouth Police received multiple 911calls reporting that a party had been shot in the Middle Street town parking lot. Upon arrival, Plymouth Police located a male victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth where he was pronounced dead of his injuries. He was identified as 41 year-old Brent Berkeley.
Witnesses on scene identified the suspect, Jerome, and he was placed under arrest by Plymouth Police.
Plymouth Police contacted the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, and an investigation commenced.
Preliminarily, the investigation has determined that Berkeley — who was operating a Jeep SUV — and Jerome, who was operating a Toyota Rav 4, were involved in a minor traffic incident and a physical altercation between the two ensued before the shooting occurred. Jerome’s 18 month-old son was in a car seat in the Rav 4 during the incident.
As a result of the investigation, detectives developed probable cause to charge Jerome. He is next scheduled to appear in court on December 13.
The investigation is ongoing by MSP and Plymouth Police.