"He will always be remembered for his charisma, his ambition, and the way he lifted up those around him," a GoFundMe dedicated to Mussie Nirayo reads. "He will be deeply missed."
Nirayo was found shot to death at a home on Washington Street in Woburn on Monday, Feb. 20, as previously reported by Daily Voice. Officers also found 26-year-old Tyler Olivier, of Woburn, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Olivier was later charged with possession of a firearm and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, the Middlesex County District Attorney's Office reports. He was not charged with murder.
Initial investigation suggests the men knew each other and that this was not a random act of violence, authorities said.
However during his arraignment in Woburn District Court on Tuesday, Olivier's attorney claims he shot Nirayo out of self-defense when two men tried breaking into his house, 7News reports.
“It appears on the face of the evidence that there’s way more to this case than meets the eye,” Attorney Joshua Wood said according to the outlet. Olivier, who pleaded not guilty, is being held on $50,000 bail and will be back in court on March 28, WBZ-TV reports.
"Mussie is survived by his brother Haben, his parents Amanuel and Askalu," the GoFundMe reads. "They are special and unique people in their positivity and generosity. Let's return that generosity and help take care of them as they fight to overcome this tragedy."
People interested in donating to the Nirayo family can do so by clicking here. Meanwhile, the investigation is ongoing.
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