Man fatally shot at Chelsea lounge with history of violence

(George Rizer/Globe Staff)

By John R. Ellement and Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff

A man was shot to death and two other people were wounded when a gunman opened fire overnight in Chelsea at King Arthur's Lounge, the strip club that was the site of a fatal brawl in 1982 that involved several off-duty Everett police officers.

Chelsea Police Chief Brian A. Kyes said that the shooting occurred at 12:30 a.m. after a physical altercation inside the lounge on Beacham Street. As shots rang out, 25 to 50 patrons inside the club dove to the floor for cover.

"The gunman fled the scene,” Kyes said. “We are interviewing many witnesses."

The victim, who was shot in the torso, has been identified as 28-year-old Jeff Santiago, according to the office of Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley. Police said that he lived in Everett. A 29-year-old Everett man was wounded in the upper thigh, and a 41-year-old Charlestown man was shot in the calf. Both men are expected to survive, Kyes said.

“Once again, I am extremely pleased and satisfied at the level or cooperation and coordination that continues to exist between the State Police assigned to District Attorney Daniel Conley’s Office and the Chelsea Police Department that is absolutely essential investigating serious crimes such as those that took place last night,” Kyes said in a statement. “I am confident through our collaborative investigative efforts we will be thorough in bringing this case to a successful resolution.”

The shooting comes as King Arthur’s was preparing to transfer its liquor license at what was supposed to be a routine hearing Tuesday. The lounge’s longtime owner, Arthur Guttadauro, died recently, and his estate is trying to transfer the license to his son.

Chelsea City Manager Jay Ash said today that he has urged the licensing board to push back the transfer hearing until police are able to give a detailed account of management’s role in the investigation. Ash said that employees have helped investigators and that their continued cooperation could be a factor in whether the license is transferred.

The brawl on July 23, 1982 began with an argument in the motel's lounge between Alfred J. Mattuchio and an off-duty Everett police officer, John McLeod. The officer left the lounge, then returned with several police officers, allegedly armed with nightsticks, baseball bats, and tire irons.

They reportedly entered a room in King Arthur's Motel and attacked a dozen patrons and employees. Vincent J. Bordonaro was beaten to death.

Four Everett officers were indicted for murder. One was acquitted; two are serving life sentences for second-degree murder; a fourth was released after serving several years for manslaughter, according to newspaper accounts.

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