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David Jerome, 23, faces multiple charges related to the shooting, including murder, child endangerment, and possession of a large capacity feeding device.
A 23-year-old man allegedly shot and killed another Plymouth man following a minor traffic incident in downtown Plymouth Friday evening, officials said.
David Jerome, of Plymouth, was arrested in the Middle Street town parking lot where the shooting took place at 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 DA alleges that Jerome and the other man were involved in “a minor traffic incident and a physical altercation.” Brent Berkeley, 41, was then shot multiple times and transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth, where he died.
“We’re not going to speculate what the motive was, whether or not this was road rage,” Cruz said at a press conference. “There was obviously rage that was there that evening.”
Jerome had a legal license to carry a weapon, meaning he did not have a previous criminal record, Cruz said. He is also facing 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 DA said. Jerome’s 18-month-old son was in the back of his Toyota Rav 4.
The Plymouth Independent reported that witnesses saw Jerome attempting to save Berkeley by administering CPR. The news organization said Jerome allegedly fired a high-capacity gun, the same types of guns he featured on his Facebook page.
“We live in a world now where many people have short fuses and terrible things happen very quickly, they can escalate very quickly,” Cruz said. “Unfortunately, look at the aftermath, look at what happens, look how one family lost somebody forever and the other family is going to be dealing with significant issues, and it affects the community.”
Tavern in Plymouth raising money for victim’s children, partner
The Middle Street town parking lot is near the Speedwell Tavern, where Berkeley’s partner works. Cruz said the area was shut down 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 show up for each other time and time again,” Chabot wrote. “But, out of respect for the victims of this terrible event, we need to temper that energy and make sure to allow them their privacy and dignity.”
Chabot said they will donate an entire day of operations on Friday to support Berkeley’s family. He also linked a GoFundMe to support his partner Jessie and their two children. A description for the fundraiser said the couple had been together more than half of their lives.
“Brent was a hardworking and dedicated father. He truly was one of a kind and everyone that knew him loved him,” wrote Meggie Linde, the fundraiser organizer who also works at Speedwell. “In the blink of an eye and a senseless act of violence Brent is now gone and Jessie is left to raise two beautiful children as a solo parent.”
The GoFundMe has raised more than $101,000 out of a $150,000 goal, as of Sunday evening.
Jerome is expected to be arraigned in court Monday.
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