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Prosecutor: Slain grandfather grabbed cane before being shot

E-mail|Link February 25, 2010 12:14 PM

By Milton Valencia, Globe Staff

A Roxbury grandfather had grabbed his cane and was approaching the front of the convenience store where he worked to confront two robbers when he was fatally shot, a prosecutor said today.

"He resisted giving them any money," said Assistant Suffolk District Atorney David Fredette. "We believe it was the second shot that struck and killed him."

Fredette spoke at the arraignment of two Roxbury teenagers, Martin Freeles, 17, and Onyx White, 16. They are charged in the slaying of Geraldo Serrano, 71, on Sunday at the Hermanos Unidos store on Dudley Street near Uphams Corner.

Fredette said another clerk was giving the alleged robbers money at the front of the store when Serrano came from the back, objecting. One shot was fired into the back of the store. Serrano grabbed his cane and then was hit by the second shot.

Steven Sack, attorney for Freeles, said after the arraignment that he was just learning about the case. "He's a frightened kid. He just turned 17 years old," Sack said. Michael Bourbeau, attorney for White, left the courthouse without speaking to the media.

Serrano was the father of nine children and had 28 grandchildren.

A judge slated another hearing in the case for April 23.

Freeles and White were arrested after a "relentless collaborative effort" by Boston police and Suffolk prosecutors, Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis said Wednesday night at police headquarters.