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Alleged South Shore Plaza shooter held as dangerous

The Patriot Ledger - 7/15/2020

QUINCY -- The Boston man who prosecutors said is responsible for a gang-related shooting in Braintree'sSouth Shore Plaza that injured a 15-year-old girl earlier this month was deemed dangerous on Wednesday and will be held without bail for at least 120 days.

Jose R. Rodriguez, 21, of Roxbury was ordered held after a dangerousness hearing administered virtually through Quincy District Court. He faces a number of charges related to the shooting including assault with intent to murder and assault and battery on a child with substantial injury. Rodriguez also had his bail revoked in a prior case in the Roxbury division of Boston Municipal Court.

Under the state's dangerousness statute, if a judge determines that a defendant charged with certain offenses would pose a danger to the public if released, the judge can require additional conditions, such as abiding by a curfew, or detain the defendant without bail for up to 120 days. He is due before the court again Aug. 14.

Want news like this sent straight to your inbox? Head over to PatriotLedger.com to sign up for alerts and make sure you never miss a thing. You pick the news you want, we deliver.Rodriguez was arrested the night of June 3, about 90 minutes after police said he fired a handgun multiple times inside South Shore Plaza, twice striking a 15-year-old girl who had nothing to do with a gang-related scuffle that led to the shooting.The girl was struck in the hand with a bullet, breaking a bone, and a bullet grazed her chest. She was taken to Boston Medical Center following the shooting, according to a police report filed with court. Braintree police had indicated her injuries were not believed to be life threatening

During the virtual hearing, Braintree Police Det. John Connolly testified that he was at the mall on an overtime patrol when he was notified about a "shots fired" incident in the mall. Connolly said he ran into Nordstrom and saw "panicked crowds exiting" the mall.

"It was clear they were very alarmed," Connolly said.

He said that he found blood and broken glass and the injured girl, but was trapped in the store because the front grate was closed. He went back to his cruiser, then learned the mall had been contained by police. The victim was taken to Boston Medical Center.

"She was just spending time at the mall," Connolly said.

Police said the shooting happened after a fight broke out in the mall outside of Expressions, a footwear and clothing store, just before 4:43 p.m. Witnesses told police that Rodriguez confronted a woman, asking if she belonged to Heath Street, a Boston gang. Witnesses told police that Rodriguez began punching the woman, and the groups they were with started to brawl. Connolly said he interviews the woman who was punched and friends she was there with. The fight escalated, and Rodriguez pulled out a gun and fired several shots, according to police.

Witnesses told police Rodriguez fired between two and four shots, but officers reported finding six shell casings after the shooting.Connolly said mall surveillance footage showed Rodriguez running away from the plaza and heading toward Granite Street. A police dog found Rodriguez at the treeline near 485 Granite St., home to a small business plaza less than a mile from the entrance of South Shore Plaza, according to police. The dog caused Rodriguez minor injuries, and he was taken to South Shore Hospital.After the shooting, FBI agents found a black 9mm handgun in a bag discarded in a bush near one the mall's parking garages, according Connolly. Two video clips of the shooting and escape were played during the hearing, but were not visible to a Patriot Ledger reporter listening on a conference call. Connolly said Rodriguez's distinctive Nike pants helped identify him.

The incident drew a large police response and heavy news coverage Friday. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents, State Police, police from surrounding towns and members of the regional MetroLEC SWAT team were also at the scene to assist Braintree police. Ambulance crews and Braintree firefighters helped treat several people for minor injuries.

Norfolk County Assistant District Attorney John Looney indicated that the case would be presented to a grand jury for possible indictment.

Rodriguez's attorney, Patrick Kelly, argued for bail for his client and presented to the court letters from his parents, teachers and community members about Rodriguez's character and what a shock the incident was.

"(The letters) make the whole situation a little sadder," said Judge Mark Coven, before finding Rodriguez dangerous.

Reporter Joe Difazio can be reached at jdifazio@patriotledger.com.

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