Two Arrested on Warrants in Connection with August 25th North Cambridge Shootings

The Cambridge Police Department  and the Middlesex District Attorney's Office today announced that Maurice Morris, 30, Brockton, and Che Meranda, 29, Boston, were arrested on numerous warrants out of Cambridge District Court following a thorough investigation into an early evening shooting that started in the area of Rindge Avenue and Clifton Street, and concluded at Middlesex Street and Pemberton Street on Wednesday, August 25.

Morris was taken into custody without incident in Everett on September 9, 2021 by the Cambridge Police Department and the United States Marshals Service. Meranda was taken into custody in Florida on September 11, 2021 on unrelated charges. He is currently being held in Florida and will be transported back to Massachusetts to be arraigned at a later date.

The preliminary investigation determined that shortly before 6 p.m. on August 25, two vehicles were travelling in the area of Middlesex Street and Pemberton Street when witnesses reported hearing gunfire. Both vehicles fled the scene. A white SUV was subsequently located abandoned on Middlesex Street with ballistic damage from apparent gunfire. As a result of video surveillance in the area and extensive detective work, a second vehicle involved in the shooting incident was quickly identified.

A follow-up investigation alleges that following an altercation, Morris had fired multiple shots at Meranda’s vehicle while they were in separate vehicles in the area of Rindge Avenue and Clifton Circle. Several shell casings were located in the roadway from the intersection of Rindge Avenue and Clifton Circle to the intersection of Rindge Avenue and Clifton Place. Meranda then returned multiple shots at Morris’ vehicle in the area of Pemberton Street and Middlesex Street. Meranda and other occupants then ran from the area and abandoned their vehicle. Morris then drove away from the scene and the vehicle he was in was later recovered in Medford. Probable cause was obtained to secure arrest warrants for Morris and Meranda. No one was injured during the shootings.

“The danger created by this kind of gun violence must be swiftly addressed,” said District Attorney Marian Ryan. “These defendants fired multiple rounds at each other’s vehicles, one of which contained two small children.  They did this at 6 p.m. when many people were on the sidewalks and traveling on the streets. The collaborative investigation allowed us to quickly identify, charge and apprehend the perpetrators.”

“Extensive investigative work was conducted by our Detectives and partners on this case, which understandably caused great concern for residents in the neighborhood,” said Acting Cambridge Police Commissioner Christine Elow. “Our Detectives showed great resolve throughout their investigation. With the support of the community and our partners, we were able to quickly identify and locate the two defendants, who showed no regard for each other, the children and occupants in the vehicles, or residents in the area.” 

Morris faces the following charges:

•       Carrying a Loaded Firearm Without a License

•       Carrying a Firearm without a License

•       Possession of a Firearm Without an FID Card

•       Possession of Ammunition Without an FID Card

•       Armed Assault to Murder

•       Assault and Battery with a Firearm

•       Discharging a Firearm within 500 Feet of a Building

Meranda faces the following charges:

•       Carrying a Loaded Firearm Without a License

•       Carrying a Firearm without a License

•       Possession of a Firearm Without an FID Card

•       Possession of Ammunition Without an FID Card

•       Armed Assault to Murder

•       Reckless Endangerment of a Child

•       Discharging a Firearm within 500 Feet of a Building

•       Attaching Number Plate Violation

•       Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License

The Cambridge Police were assisted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, The U.S. Marshals Service, Boston Police Department, Everett Police Department and Medford Police Department.

Morris was arraigned in Cambridge District Court on September 9, 2021 and was ordered held without bail following a dangerousness hearing today, September 17, 2021. The next court date in that case is October 18, 2021. Meranda is expected to be arraigned in Cambridge District Court at a later date.

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