Man Who Killed Braintree School Nurse Dressed As UPS Driver: DA

BRAINTREE, MA — A man accused of fatally shooting a longtime Braintree school nurse dressed as a UPS delivery driver and opened fire in front of her home, according to prosecutors.

Robert Bonang, 61, of Marshfield, was charged with murder, two counts of carrying an unlicensed firearm, possession of ammunition without an identification card, and firing a gun within 500 feet of a building. Bonang pleaded not guilty to the charges in Quincy District Court Thursday and was ordered held without bail.

Prosecutors said Bonang shot and killed Laurie Melchionda, 59, a member of the Braintree Board of Health and former school nurse in town. She also was the director of health services for Weston Public Schools. Prosecutors said Bonang was Melchionda's former neighbor.

Around noon Wednesday, police were called to Melchionda's home on Howie Road and found her suffering from several gunshot wounds, prosecutors said. Melchionda was taken to South Shore Hospital in Weymouth and pronounced dead.

A witness told police she saw Bonang dressed as a UPS delivery deliver and holding a box in front of Melchionda's home, prosecutors said. Assistant District Attorney Greg Connor said there was a rifle in the box.

"At the opposite end of the box, [a hole] allowed someone to place their hand inside the box to manipulate the trigger," Connor said.

Police found Bonang outside the home and arrested him. Prosecutors said police seized a rifle and a .22-caliber handgun.

Defense Attorney James Boudreau said Bonang agreed to the no-bail order.

"Obviously it's a tragedy for [Melchionda's] family and our hearts go out to them," Boudreau said.

Bonang was scheduled to return to court on July 17.