More To Story In Peabody Man's Murder Charge: Victim's Relative

PEABODY, MA -- A relative of Jeudy Romero says details released in court and to the media do not offer the full picture of what happened when Romero was shot and killed during a Mattapan house party Sunday morning. The woman, who asked that her name not be used for publication, said John Patterson, who has been charged with murder, and Romero went to the party together and argued with people they met there. When a fight broke out, Patterson went to Romero's car and returned with a gun.

Patterson fired the gun at least once, delivering the shot that killed Romero. But the woman does not believe Patterson meant to shoot Romero. Romero had a son with Patterson's sister and the two men referred to each other as brother-in-law.

"They were arguing with other people, people they met at the party," Romero's relative said. "Everyone is making it look like they were fighting with each other, and that's not true."

Patch has reached out to the Suffolk County District Attorney's office for comment and will update this story when we hear back from them. It's not clear why Patterson fled after the shooting. He was arrested a short time later by Boston Police and is being held without bail following his arraignment on Monday.

In addition to the son he has with Patterson's sister, Romero has two other biological children. He was also engaged to be married to a woman who has two children that he treated as if they were his own, the relative said. Romero was an Army veteran.

According to prosecutors, Patterson pulled a knife during the argument. When that was wrestled away, he went out to the car he and Romero arrived in and returned with a gun.

Boston Police were called to a house on Goodale Road around 9:54 am Sunday, where they found a Romero with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses said Patterson yelled "Let me show you who I am!" as he fired the fatal shot that killed Romero.

Romero's relative disputes an account that Patterson took the keys from Romero as he lay dying. "He drove his car there. He already had the keys -- that's how he got the gun," she said.

Patterson was initially pulled over on Blue Hill Avenue but then fled. He was spotted a short time later on foot on Washington Street and arrested.

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Patch file photo via Shutterstock.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).