BOSTON (WHDH) - A man accused of shooting and killing a teenager in Mattapan in broad daylight has been ordered held without bail after entering a not guilty plea.
Csean Skerritt, 32, was arraigned in Dorchester District Court Friday morning where he faced charges in connection with the death of Tyler Lawrence.
Lawrence had been walking in Mattapan on Sunday, Jan. 29, when prosecutors say Skerritt shot and killed the teenager by the intersection of Babson and Fremont streets.
The Norwood teen had been visiting his grandparents at the time and was listening to music when Skerritt approached, according to the prosecution. Both surveillance video and eyewitness accounts indicated Skerritt walked up and shot the teen several times before running from the scene.
“ShotSpotter detected five shots,” an assistant district attorney told the court. “All five shots fired in less than two seconds.”
Skerritt’s arrest was announced by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office a week after the shooting. Officials said the suspect was already in custody on separate, federal drug charges.
Tyler’s mother, Remy Lawrence, was in court along with other family members as the suspect was arraigned, and left as the prosecution began to describe the death of her son.
During the proceedings, the prosecution also listed Skerritt’s extensive criminal history, detailing time he had served on several firearms charges, among others. Officials also noted the accused had committed several parole violations in the past.
Skerritt’s defense focused mainly on requesting additional documents related to the investigation ahead of the next hearing.
Outside of the courthouse, District Attorney Kevin Hayden said while the motive for the shooting is still not clear, it never should have happened regardless.
“In this moment, I think it’s very important for us to remember that today is one small step in the journey of justice,” Hayden told reporters. “(Tyler) was peace, he was light and he was joy to all those around him. And he was taken away from us far too soon.”
While officials have said the shooting did not appear to be random, the DA has emphasized that Lawrence was an innocent victim.
Skerritt is due back in court on March 17 for a probable cause hearing.
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