Correction: the attorney representing Victor Ernesto Deaza Jr. was incorrectly identified in an earlier version of the story. Deaza’s court-appointed lawyer is Stephen A. Roth.
A 19-year-old from Manchester, N.H., was arraigned in Haverhill District Court Wednesday and ordered held without bail after police allege he was involved with the April 17 daytime gang-related shooting in downtown Haverhill.
Victor Ernesto Deaza Jr. was arrested by Haverhill Police along with two juveniles on Tuesday, April 21, after police observed them arrive together around 6:20 p.m. at the informal monument to slain Gangster Disciples leader Carlos Rivera at the intersection of How and May Street. They appeared to be concealing weapons in their waistbands.
The two juveniles are being held in the Juvenile Holding Facility in Framingham. A fourth suspect is still at large.
Essex County Assistant District Attorney Brittany Fraine told Judge Cesar A. Archilla they fled when officers confronted the group. Deaza was eventually found at 83 Cedar St., Haverhill, where he was arrested. After receiving a tip from an anonymous caller, police located a 9 mm handgun in a dumpster at the rear of 75 Welcome St. The gun had an extended magazine and switch which allows the gun to fire multiple rounds. City cameras and other surveillance video connected the gun to Deaza, according to the police report.
Deaza was subsequently charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license, possession of the large capacity firearm with feeding devise, possession of an automatic switch, possession of unlicensed ammunition and disorderly conduct. He is being held at the Essex County House of Correction in Middleton.
Fraine said Deaza, who grew up in Haverhill, is known to the police department’s Gang Unit in large part because of his presence on social media and his affiliation with the Gangster Disciples gang. She said police believe he was part of the group which was “responsible for creating a reckless and dangerous situation” on April 17.
Fraine added, in recent social media posts, Deaza called for “freeing” Evan Carlisle, one of the defendants charged in the shootout.
Deaza’s court appointed attorney, Stephen A. Roth, argued Deaza was not connected to the incident because he was out of state. He also argued the gun that Deaza possessed is legal in New Hampshire.
Deaza is due back in court on Wednesday, May 27, for a probable cause hearing.