Press Release: 7/9/2025

Three Arraigned in Connection with Fatal Boston Shooting

BOSTON – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that Charles Dixon, 40, of Dorchester, Ellis Santos, 36, of Hyde Park, and Jacqueline Cherisme, 34, of Dorchester, have been arrested and arraigned in connection with the fatal shooting of Andrew Owens in Boston on April 19, 2025.

The preliminary information suggests that,  on April 19, 2025, Jacqueline Cherisme drove Charles Dixon in her car to the area of Dudley Station in Roxbury. She parked, they both got out of the car and then an argument occurred.  Dixon accused Santos of owing him money. A crowd began to form around Dixon and Santos.  Cherisme and Dixon then got back into her car.  As Cherisme began to drive away, Dixon allegedly opened fire at Santos from the passenger side window, striking two bystanders.   The victim, one of the bystanders, died as a result of a gunshot wound. Santos returned fire but did not strike anyone.

A couple of hours later, Cherisme walked into the Boston Police Department and allegedly provided false statements to police regarding Santos’ role in the shooting.  

“This case demonstrates the dangerous and life altering impacts of guns in our communities.  Here the defendants allegedly discharged their firearms without regard for the bystanders in the area.  Ultimately, this reckless and brazen conduct led to the injury of an innocent victim and the senseless and tragic death of Andrew Owens,” said District Attorney Ryan. “Despite deliberate efforts to mislead law enforcement, investigators remained diligent in identifying and charging those responsible.”

As part of the investigation,  the Middlesex State Police Detective Unit applied for and was granted arrest warrants for Charles Dixon and Ellis Santos. On June 17, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section arrested Dixon without incident. He is charged with murder, armed assault to murder, attempted assault and battery with a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, and a firearm violation with three prior violent/drug crimes.

On June 18, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section arrested Santos without incident. He is charged with carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, and a firearm violation with one prior violent/drug crime.

On June 24, 2025, the Suffolk County Grand Jury issued an arrest warrant for Jacqueline Cherisme. On June 26, the Middlesex State Police Detective Unit and the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section arrested Cherisme in Boston. She is charged with accessory after the fact, two counts of witness intimidation, and two counts of withholding evidence from an official court proceeding.

Charles Dixon was arraigned in Roxbury District Court on June 18 and ordered held without bail by Judge Nicholas Brandt. Ellis Santos was arraigned in Roxbury District Court on June 20 where Judge David Breen set bail at $2,500 with the condition to stay away from and not contact any witnesses. Cherisme was arraigned on June 26 in Suffolk Superior Court where Clerk Magistrate Courtney Doherty set bail at $4,000 with the condition of no contact with Charles Dixon, Ellis Santos or the family of the victim.

This case is being investigated by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Massachusetts State Police, and Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. The prosecutors assigned to this case are Middlesex Assistant District Attorneys Whitney Williams and Jacqueline McCormick, both of whom are designated Special Assistant District Attorneys by Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden to avoid a potential conflict of interest.  The Victim Witness Advocate is Theresa Corcoran.