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Man shot dead after ‘minor traffic incident’ in central Plymouth
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Man shot dead after ‘minor traffic incident’ in central Plymouth


Local news

David Jerome, 23, faces multiple charges related to the shooting, including murder, child endangerment and possession of a large capacity feeding device.

Man shot dead after ‘minor traffic incident’ in central Plymouth

Archive (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

A 23-year-old man allegedly shot and killed another Plymouth man following a minor traffic incident in downtown Plymouth Friday night, authorities said.

David Jerome, of Plymouth, was arrested in the Middle Street city parking lot where the shooting took place around 5:45 p.m., Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz announced. Jerome faces multiple charges related to the shooting, including murder, child endangerment and possession of a large capacity feeding device.

The district attorney alleges that Jerome and the other man were involved in “a minor traffic incident and a physical altercation.” Brent Berkeley, 41, was shot several times and taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth, where he died.

“We’re not going to speculate what the motive was, whether or not it was highway violence,” Cruz said. he said at a press conference. “There was obviously anger that night.”

Jerome had a legal license to carry a gun, meaning he had no criminal record, Cruz said. He also faces charges of discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, improper storage of a firearm, negligent operation of a motor vehicle and improper storage of ammunition.

Witnesses identified Jerome as the alleged shooter and Plymouth police arrested him, the district attorney said. Jerome’s 18-month-old son was in the back of his Toyota Rav 4.

The Plymouth Independent reported that witnesses saw Jerome trying to save Berkeley by administering CPR. The news organization said Jerome allegedly fired a high-capacity weapon, the same types of weapons he featured on his Facebook page.

“We live in a world where a lot of people have problems and terrible things happen very quickly and can escalate very quickly,” Cruz said. “Unfortunately, look at the aftermath, look at what happens, look at how one family lost someone forever and the other family will have to deal with major issues affecting the community.”

Tavern in Plymouth raising money for victim’s children and partner

The Middle Street city parking lot is near the Speedwell Tavernwhere the Berkeley partner works. Cruz said the area was closed for approximately 45 minutes.

Speedwell Tavern owner Jordan Chabot wrote on Facebook that the business will be closed until Monday.

“The outpouring from the community has been overwhelming. “Plymouth is a place like no other…and we support each other time and time again,” Chabot wrote. “But, out of respect for the victims of this terrible event, we must temper that energy and make sure we allow them their privacy and dignity.”

Chabot said they will donate a full day of operations on Friday to support the Berkeley family. He also linked a GoFundMe to support his partner Jessie and their two children. A description of the fundraiser said the couple had been together more than half their lives.

“Brent was a hardworking and dedicated father. He was truly one of a kind and loved by everyone who knew him,” wrote Meggie Linde, the fundraiser organizer who also works at Speedwell. “In the blink of an eye and in an act of senseless violence, Brent is gone and Jessie must raise two beautiful children as a single mother.”

GoFundMe has raised more than $101,000 of a $150,000 goal, as of Sunday night.

Jerome is expected to be arraigned in court on Monday.

Molly Farrar Profile Picture

Molly Farrar is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com focusing on education, politics, crime and more.