For Immediate Release: 9/1/2023 2:11 pm
On August 31st 2023 at about 8:15 PM, Worcester Police officers were dispatched to Illinois St for a report of a ShotSpotter activation. While one officer was on the way to the call, he observed a dark colored sedan travel away from the scene of the shooting. The officer followed the vehicle and activated his blue lights to conduct a motor vehicle stop near the corner of Hollis and Grand.
Officers approached the vehicle and spoke with the operator, who was identified as Jeremiah Eugene, twenty-three-years-old of Beaverbrook Parkway. While officers were speaking with Mr. Eugene they were told over the radio that a dark colored sedan fled the scene of the shooting. While speaking with Mr. Eugene, the officer observed what appeared to be a handgun between his feet. They told Mr. Eugene and his passenger, nineteen-year-old James Dejesus of Southbridge, to put their hands up. Mr. Dejesus refused to do so, put the vehicle in drive, and fled the traffic stop.
Officers returned to their cruiser and pursued the vehicle toward Cambridge St. Mr. Eugene’s vehicle struck a pick-up truck that was turning left on to Cambridge St from Main St, and came to a halt. Officers removed Mr. Eugene and Mr. Dejesus from the vehicle and recovered a handgun from Mr. Dejesus’ leg area. The firearm appeared to be the same as the one previously seen at Mr. Eugene’s feet. Both Jeremiah Eugene and James Dejesus did not have a license to carry firearms.
Jeremiah Eugene was placed under arrest and is charged with Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm, Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License, Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device, Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card, Improper Storage of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm without a License, Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number, Failure to Stop for Police, and motor vehicle charges. He did not have an active driver’s license.
James Dejesus was placed under arrest and is charged with Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm, Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License, Possession of a Large Capacity Feeding Device, Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card, Improper Storage of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm without a License, Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number,
Officers discovered additional evidence that shots had been fired in the area of the ShotSpotter activation, and it is under investigation.
