Suspect in South Shore Plaza Shooting Ordered Held On Bail In Superior Court Arraignment

BRAINTREE, MA — A Quincy man charged in a shooting at the South Shore Plaza appeared in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham Tuesday afternoon.

Michael J. Spence Jr., 24, pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building in use. He was ordered held in jail on $75,000 bail, the same amount imposed during is arraignment in Quincy District Court, according to the Patriot Ledger. He was indicted by a grand jury on April 28.

He was ordered held on an additional $10,000 for violating the probation for a previous gun conviction.

On the evening of Feb. 3, police responded to a report of gunfire at the South Shore Plaza. Police say the altercation was an isolated incident between two "Boston gang affiliates" that resulted in at least one of them opening fire after bumping into each other at the Macy's shoe department. Both fled the mall and no injuries were reported.

The mall was placed on lockdown and officers escorted shoppers and employees to safety. Roughly 200 stores were thoroughly searched by officers in order to identify witnesses and assist people. The majority of people in the mall left during the initial stages of the incident.

Spencer was arrested in Quincy the next day.

He is due back in court July 11.

Image via Braintree Police Department