Fight Over Restaurant Bill Leads To Deadly Worcester Shooting: DA

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester notched its third homicide in just under a week on Monday when a 24-year-old man died after a shooting that happened on July 4, according to the Worcester County District Attorney.

The shooting took place at around 11:50 p.m. Saturday along Almont Avenue, according to Worcester police. Joshua Lopez, 24, was shot during an argument over a restaurant bill, prosecutors said. He died Monday afternoon at a local hospital.

Leroy Thompson Jr. 25, of Almont Avenue, was charged on Monday with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing bodily injury and weapons charges. He will be charged with murder at his next court appearance on Friday, the DA's office said.

The Lopez killing was the fourth homicide in Worcester so far in 2020, but the third in a week. Early in the morning on June 30, Josue Rios, 29, died after he was stabbed in the chest. Benjamin Willie, 20, was arrested on July 1, and has since been charged by the Worcester County District Attorney with murder.

On Friday morning, police responded to the Lakeside Apartments on a report of a double-shooting. One of the victims died, and the other was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries.