Police ID Suspect In Fatal Braintree Mall Shooting

BRAINTREE, MA — Police issued a murder arrest warrant and are looking for a 19-year-old Maynard man who is a suspect in last weekend's fatal shooting at the South Shore Plaza in Braintree.

Julius Hammond-Desir, 19, of Maynard, is accused of killing Dijoun C. Beasley, 26, of Dorchester, who was shopping at the mall when he was shot around 3:30 p.m last Saturday. The victim was taken to a Boston hospital, but the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office said Monday Beasley had died.

The warrant for Hammond-Desir was issued less than 24 hours after police arrested Samantha Schwartz, 27, of Attleboro, and charged her with accessory after the fact of a murder. Schwartz was arrested Thursday and pleaded not guilty to the charge in Quincy District Court Friday morning.

Authorities said Schwartz did not go home in the five days after the shooting, changed location repeatedly, and has a prior history of not showing up to court dates. She is being held on $20,000 bail.

"Massachusetts State Police Homicide detectives assigned to my office have been working with Braintree Police since the Saturday attack, and we are now in a position to request the public’s assistance" in locating Hammon-Desir, District Attorney Michael Morrissey said.

Morrissey and Braintree Police Chief Dubois said Hammond-Desir may have changed his appearance since the shooting.

"The allegations are that Mr. Hammond-Desir shot an unarmed man to death at close range, so we urge you not to approach him but to call 911 if you see him," Morrissey said.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about the shooting to call Braintree police at 781-794-8620 or Massachusetts State Police at 781-830-4990. Tips can also be emailed to tips@braintreema.gov.