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Csean Skerritt, who was already in federal custody on un-related charges, appeared in BMC Dorchester for the murder of Tyler Lawrence on Friday, Feb. 17, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office reports.
Skerritt, who pleaded not guilty, was ordered held without bail based on his criminal record, the office said. However, an attorney for the Lawrence family says there is more reason to put the accused gunman behind bars.
"Evidence has revealed so far that there is no connection between this defendant and Tyler Lawrence," Assistant District Attorney Julie Higgins said during the arraignment, WBZ reports.
This claim was further solidified by surveillance video that showed Skerritt park his car, cross the street, follow Tyler, shoot him numerous times, then run away from the scene of the crime.
Skeritt was arrested and charged with murder, being an armed career criminal level III, and various firearm and ammunition charges on Feb. 6.
"I cannot for the love of God imagine what would allow a 34-year-old man with evil intent to decide to shoot a 13-year-old boy five times," Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said following the arraignment. "We spend too much time worrying about who did what and why. What we need to worry about is the heinous act that was committed by this evil man."
Tyler, of Norwood, died after being shot in the area of Fremont and Babson Streets while walking to his grandmother's house in Mattapan on Sunday morning, Jan. 29, authorities report.
The 13-year-old was a student at Coakley Middle School and was "well-loved" by the community, Superintendent David Thomson said in a statement.
"His bright smile was on display every morning, and he made friends wherever he went," Thomson said. "He was an avid basketball player, and enjoyed sports and being outside."
Tyler's grandparents have since launched a GoFundMe to help establish a children's foundation in their grandson's name. The foundation will provide "opportunities to other children that Tyler did not have the opportunity to experience," the campaign reads.
At the same time the Lawrence family is trying to spark change, they are equally outraged by Tyler's death. The teenager's mother, Remy Lawrence, has specifically been vocal with the media.
“Everybody in this city should be outraged and if you’re not what’s wrong," Remy told 7News. “I want to know where are you people? It’s 11:20 in the morning, somebody saw something. And if you know something say something, it could be your son.”
Remy said that her son had no enemies and that Skerritt mistook Tyler for someone else when he shot him. Skerritt will be back in court for a probable cause hearing on March 17, the DA's Office said.
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