Boston

Four Charged in Fatal Dorchester Hotel Shooting

Four men have been charged with murder for their alleged roles in a fatal shooting in a Dorchester hotel

Four men were indicted by a grand jury on Wednesday in connection with the October murder of a 22-year-old man at a Holiday Inn Express in Boston.

Twenty-six-year-old James "Shizz" Coleman, 24-year-old John "Spice Collins, 29-year-old Errin "DubDub" Crawford and 24-year-old Michael "Bats" Reynolds are charged with first-degree murder for Joshua Briggs' homicide in the city's Dorchester neighborhood.

Police said on the night of Oct. 16 and into the early hours the next day, Briggs had been in a Boston Street hotel room with others. Three of his alleged assailants - Crawford, Collins and Coleman - were also there, but were thrown out of the hotel after a fight.

Prosecutors allege that the three men returned to the hotel with Reynolds around 4:15 p.m. The four men reportedly forced their way into Briggs' room, at least two of them armed with guns, police said.

According to the Suffolk Country district attorney, evidence suggests that all four men took part in robbery of cash, jewelry and firearms that they knew to be in Briggs' hotel room.

Briggs suffered a fatal gunshot wound during the robbery was was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The indictments allege that the defendants knew there were guns in that room, and they returned with more guns of their own,” Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley said. "It was a powderkeg, and we submit that their actions ignited it, leading to Joshua Briggs’ death."

Coleman was identified by police within a few days of the incident. He was arraigned on Oct. 23 in South Boston Municipal Court for charges of armed robbery and home invasion.

Reynolds was apprehended and arraigned on Nov. 8, while Collins and Crawford were both arraigned in early December.

Boston Police Commissioner William Evans praised the work of officers and detectives involved in the case.

"Thanks to their combined efforts, four individuals are now charged with the murder of Joshua Briggs," Evans said. "Making sure that those responsible are held accountable is one of the ways we can help bring some level of comfort to the victim’s family and loved ones."

All four defendants were held on bail ranging from $50,000 to $200,000. They are expected to be arraigned for Briggs' murder in Suffolk Superior Court next month.

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