Christian Merced, 21, was shot and killed on April 9, 2016, in Beverly, Massachusetts while visiting family from Miami to see his ailing grandmother. The fatal shooting occurred at his brother’s home on Ropes Street around 10:30 p.m., when a single gunshot struck Merced in the chest. His brother tried to drive him to Beverly Hospital, but police stopped the vehicle; Merced was later transferred to an ambulance and pronounced dead at the hospital. He is survived by his mother and four siblings.

Nineteen-year-old Justice Galarza of Beverly fled the scene initially but later turned himself in to the Salem Police. He was arrested and charged with murder, carrying a firearm without an FID card, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, and was arraigned in Salem District Court held without bail. Merced’s family and Galarza’s defense attorney described the shooting as a tragic accident, saying the two had been handling or playing with a gun when it discharged.

Does anyone have additional details about the events at the Ropes Street home that night or knew Christian and can help clarify what happened?