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Lowell man arrested in teenager's shooting

E-mail|Link|Comments () May 15, 2009 03:04 PM

By Globe Staff

A 24-year-old man has been arrested on a murder charge in connection with the slaying of a teenage girl who was shot while riding in a car with friends in Lowell earlier this week.

Ron Srey of Lowell was arrested early this morning on an unrelated warrrant and, after further investigation, was charged with Tavaryna Choeun's slaying, Middlesex County prosecutors said. He was to be arraigned this afternoon in Lowell District Court.

Law enforcement authorities have said they believe Choeun, 17, of Lawrence, who was riding in the car's front passenger seat, was hit by a bullet meant for the driver, who had been in an altercation earlier with the gunman.

"We allege that this defendant brazenly shot into the car in which Tavaryna was a passenger," Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone said. "It is an absolute tragedy. Tavaryna was an innocent bystander killed by a bullet intended for someone else."

Police say Choeun was riding in the car at about 10 p.m. Tuesday with two friends, a man driving and another teenager in the back seat. Srey allegedly saw the car, approached it, and fired shots, one of which struck Choeun.

Choeun's two friends then left her on the street in front of 132 Suffolk St. She was pronounced dead at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington on Wednesday.

Srey is also facing charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and discharge of a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling.