On the early morning of Saturday, September 2, 2023, 25-year-old Abraham Diaz of Lynn, Massachusetts, was killed in a drive-by shooting on Essex Street. Diaz had been at a gathering celebrating a friend’s departure for college when gunfire erupted around 2:20 a.m.; the attack also killed 21-year-old Jandriel Heredia of Revere and injured five others.

Authorities did not believe the shooting was random. A multiagency investigation by the Lynn Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, and Homeland Security Investigations led to indictments announced more than ten months later. Six people were charged with two counts of first-degree murder each: Darwin Batista, 20; Yefferson Vallecillo Cambar, 22; Carlos Ramirez Corniel, 16; Leonardo Espinoza, 15; Abel Severino Reyes, 21; and 25-year-old Justin Alba. Ramirez Corniel and Espinoza were indicted as youthful offenders. Four defendants face additional assault and battery with a dangerous weapon counts. All pleaded not guilty and were ordered held without bail after arraignment.

Diaz’s brother described him as a good kid who was dedicated to giving back to his community. Does anyone have information about that gathering or the events on Essex Street that night?