WORCESTER — Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr. announced today that an individual named Jose Ortiz Maldonado, age 25, of Worcester, was indicted by a Worcester County Grand Jury last week on one count of murder, as well as charges of kidnapping, strangulation, two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a family or household member, possession of a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling.
The charges are reported to relate to the November 2023 shooting death of 29-year-old Darilton Matias.
The shooting is alleged to have occurred around 1:18 a.m. on Grand Street. The District Attorney’s Office reports that, after Worcester police received a call reporting gunshots, they found Matias on the ground in front of a building suffering from a gunshot wound.
It is further reported that officers rendered emergency medical assistance until paramedics arrived and transported Matias to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The defendant, Maldonado, was taken into custody on November 8, 2023, and arraigned in Worcester Central District Court on several charges relating to the Grand Street shooting, including, as stated, strangulation, kidnapping, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a family or household member.
Maldonado was found dangerous and held for 120 days, the maximum length allowed under Massachusetts law. After that, a $50,000 cash bail was set. Maldonado has been in custody since his arrest.
The indictment moves Maldonado’s case to Worcester Superior Court, where he is expected to be arraigned tomorrow, Friday, June 28, 2024.
