Malden Man Arrested in Connection to Stoneham Shooting

Eugene Tate, 19, of Malden and Jessie Williams, 24, of Medford  were arrested  and charged with murder, armed assault with intent to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, armed robbery, and illegal possession of a firearm, reads the statement. Both men will be arraigned Monday in Woburn District Court, adds the statement.

According to authorities, at approximately 12:19 a.m. on Wednesday, police responded to 6 Micah’s Pond Way in Stoneham for a report of gunshots, according to the statement.

When officers arrived they found two males suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, reads the statement. One of those men, identified as Joseph Puopolo, 27, of Stoneham, was found suffering from gunshot wounds to the chest and wrist, according to the statement. He was transported to Lahey Clinic where he was pronounced deceased, reads the statement. 

The second victim, a 28-year-old man, suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen and was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital where he is in stable condition, according the statement. The injured party has not been identified by authorities.

Stoneham Police and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the District Attorney’s office launched an immediate investigation into the circumstances of the incident, reads the statement.

The investigation revealed that the 28-year-old victim allegedly arranged to sell drugs to the two defendants through known associates, according to the statement. It is alleged that prior to the arrival of the two defendants, the 28-year-old victim asked Puopolo to come to the home because he was concerned the proposed deal may be a drug rip-off, reads the statement. Williams and Tate allegedly entered the home shortly after midnight to complete a drug deal, according to the statement. When they entered the home, the two defendants allegedly drew handguns, demanded drugs and money, and then shot Puopolo and the 28-year-old victim, the statement adds.

Based on the investigation, including witness statements and physical evidence, two arrest warrants were issued on Sunday, July 7 for Williams and Tate, reads the statement. Williams was arrested in East Boston by Massachusetts State Police, Stoneham police and Medford police, according to the statement. Tate turned himself in to Stoneham police, adds the statement.

These charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, reads the statement.

The case is being investigated by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and Stoneham Police, with assistance from Medford Police and the State Police Special Tactical Operations (STOP) Team, reads the statement. The prosecutors assigned to the case are Assistant District Attorneys Tom OReilly and David Rubin, reads the statement. The Victim Witness Advocate is Beth Lane, adds the statement.