Thursday, 4:30 PM
Man arrested in August slaying of man who had just proposed
By Globe Staff
Police arrested a Dorchester man on a murder charge today for the August slaying of a 22-year-old man who was fatally shot moments after he proposed to his girlfriend, according to the Middlesex district attorney's office and relatives of the victim.
Bernard Johnson, 22, was shot to death in a Somerville parking lot over a gold chain after he surprised his girlfriend with a diamond ring inside a nearby apartment.
Walter Norris, 20, was arrested today in Boston and arraigned in Somerville District Court. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail until his next court appearance on Jan. 4.
At about 1:07 a.m. on August 30, Somerville Police responded to a report of gunshots on Merriam Street. Johnson was rushed to Cambridge Hospital and pronounced dead.
According to prosecutors, Johnson and his girlfriend left the apartment on Merriam Street and were confronted by a man identified as Valentino Facey, 21. Facey tried to snatch Johnson's gold chain at gunpoint and a fight ensued.
Prosecutors allege that Norris then appeared with a gun and shot Johnson several times. Facey was arrested the day of the shooting and pleaded not guilty with attempting to commit a crime. He is being held on $50,000 bail.
