Third person charged in March stabbing death
Wilfredo Coto Gonzalez, 17, was arraigned last Friday on one count of first-degree murder and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with the death of Eduardo Lopez on Everett Ave. in March.
Coto Gonzalez was ordered held without bail and is due back in court on August 6 for a scheduling conference.
On Thursday, June 25, Chelsea and State police detectives arrested Coto Gonzalez on an arrest warrant issued out of Suffolk Superior Court.
“I am very happy with today’s arrest and although an arrest can never replace the loss of a loved one, I hope this can give the family of Mr. Lopez further closure,” said Chelsea Police Chief Keith Houghton. “This is also a message to the rest of our residents of Chelsea, that no matter how long it may take, the Chelsea Police will do their part to seek out the responsible parties of violent offenses such as this. The work done by the Chelsea Police Detectives and Mass State Police Detectives was exceptional and relentless, which clearly paid off today.”
Two other men, Jose Joel Umana Yanes and Sergio Josue Castellanos Cerrato, have been charged with murder in the case.
On March 19, police received a report of a stabbing in the area of Chestnut Street and Everett Avenue.
Officers responding located multiple stabbing victims. All were immediately provided medical aid and then sent to the hospital for medical treatment. Lopez later succumbed to his injuries and died at the hospital, police stated.
Chelsea to Reconstruct Sidewalks Beginning July 6
Starting July 6, 2026, the City of Chelsea will begin to reconstruct sidewalks on Crescent Avenue, Jefferson Avenue, Warren Avenue, and Summit Avenue. Work will take place Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will proceed in the following locations. Temporary street closures will be in effect within the work zones:
• Crescent Ave: From the Mary C. Burke Elementary Complex to Carroll Street
• Jefferson Ave: From Franklin Ave to Prescott Ave
• Warren Ave: From Summit Ave to Jefferson Ave
• Summit Ave: From Prescott Ave to Webster Ave
Residents and commuters in affected areas should expect temporary construction activity, including traffic adjustments and parking restrictions, during the duration of the project.
The City has performed door-to-door outreach to notify residents abutting the work zones, and prior to construction, orange barrels and signs will be placed in upcoming work areas to notify residents of parking restrictions. Vehicles must be removed from on-street parking before the posted times. Residents are asked to follow all posted construction and safety signage throughout the project.
This project is funded through a state grant and the City’s Capital Improvement Program funds, and is designed to enhance pedestrian safety, increase accessibility, and extend the lifespan of critical transportation infrastructure throughout Chelsea.
With questions or concerns about the construction work, please contact Chelsea 3-1-1 at 617-466-4209.
Leave Fireworks to the Professionals, State Fire Marshal Urges
Fires, explosions, and serious injuries related to illegal fireworks spike each summer in Massachusetts, and fire service leaders are hoping to reverse last year’s increase over 2024.
“Here in Massachusetts, fireworks have caused nearly 500 fires and explosions, almost 200 serious injuries, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage over the past five years,” said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine. “Tragically, one man even lost his life last summer. Please don’t risk a fire, an injury, or a day in court – leave fireworks to the professionals.”
Of the 188 fireworks-related visits to Massachusetts emergency departments from 2021 to 2025, 121 took place in July. July also accounted for 253 of the 486 fires and explosions caused by fireworks during the same five-year period. Both injuries and fires increased by about 23% last year, with 43 ER visits and 112 fires and explosions – including one that claimed a 70-year-old man’s life in Wareham.
Massachusetts law requires police to seize any illegal fireworks they encounter in the course of their duties. This includes fireworks that were purchased lawfully in another state and transported to Massachusetts. People who use or possess them illegally are also subject to a fine, while the unlawful sale of fireworks is an arrestable offense that carries potential jail time. The law is effective: the Massachusetts fireworks injury rate is about one-fifth the national average, and the rate of fires and explosions is about one-sixth the national average.
The Department of Fire Services posts a list of permitted fireworks displays and updates it each week through the summer. To view the list – and to learn more about the dangers of illegal fireworks – visit the DFS website.