Justin T. Ortiz was 21 when he was found with a gunshot wound to the head in a second-floor hallway of an apartment building at 51 Tallman Street in New Bedford on the night of December 27, 2016. First responders took him to St. Luke’s Hospital and he was later transferred to Rhode Island Hospital, where he died on December 30, 2016. He was a former U.S. Marine and a graduate of Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School.

Police quickly ruled the shooting a homicide. Witnesses reported several people leaving the scene shortly after gunfire. In January 2017 two men were arrested in connection with the investigation: Joshua Lobo, then 21, who was identified as a member of the Latin Kings and was initially charged with misleading investigators and witness intimidation, and 21-year-old Justin Camacho, charged with witness intimidation. On July 1, 2021 Joshua Joel Lobo was indicted on involuntary manslaughter and armed robbery charges and was arraigned in Fall River Superior Court on August 27, 2021; his case was awaiting trial.

If anyone knew Justin Ortiz, saw activity around 51 Tallman Street on December 27, 2016, or has information about the people who left after the shooting, please come forward.