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Erick Cournoyer was arraigned in New Bedford. (John Sladewski/The Standard-Times) |
Youth arraigned in woman’s fatal shooting
Fight allegedly was arranged in New Bedford
NEW BEDFORD - For quite some time, Victor Camacho told police, he and his girlfriend had been harassed by another teenage couple. There were telephone calls, challenging Camacho and his girlfriend to a fight. And one of those calls led to a showdown on Wednesday night, authorities said.
Arrangements were made for Camacho’s girlfriend, Bianca Rosado, to fight Kelcie Carter, Erick Cournoyer’s girlfriend, according to a New Bedford police report. The fight was to take place outside 22 Collins St., Cournoyer’s home. A friend drove Camacho and Rosado to Collins Street, and they parked.
Cournoyer was hiding behind a tree, and as Camacho and Rosado got out of a vehicle, Cournoyer approached them, police said. An argument ensued, and then, Cournoyer, 17, allegedly pointed a gun at the couple and began firing, the police report stated. Rosado, 18, the mother of a 15-month-old girl, was struck in the chest. Camacho was hit in the lower right leg. About 90 minutes later, Rosado was pronounced dead at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford.
“She was a beautiful girl who didn’t deserve this,’’ said Eddie Broyles, a family friend who was standing outside the New Bedford District Court yesterday morning, moments after Cournoyer was arraigned on charges of murder and attempted murder, and several firearms charges.
Entering the courtroom for the arraignment, Cournoyer, his hands cuffed behind his back, briefly scanned the packed courtroom. At 17 years of age, his boyish face, angular and framed by short, dark hair, appeared even younger.
His court-appointed lawyer Alan Zwirblis, entered a plea of not guilty on his client’s behalf and asked Judge Bernadette Sabra for more time to study the case in order to make a bail request.
Sabra ordered Cournoyer held without bond until July 10 for a bail hearing.
As Rosado’s family and supporters left the courtroom, someone in the group yelled out, “You’re lucky!’’
Camacho, wearing a cast and walking with crutches, declined to comment outside the courtroom, and other relatives and friends would only describe Rosado as a doting mother who just graduated from New Bedford High School and was not prone to arguments or fights.
“She mostly stayed at home, kept away from trouble,’’ said a female family friend who declined to give her name.
Cournoyer’s parents could not be reached for comment yesterday. The front of their three-decker on Collins Street bore a message, written in green marker, “Murderer, we hate you, rot in hell.’’
The defendant’s father, George Cournoyer, in an interview with police, said that he saw his son arguing with two males in front of the house prior to the shooting.
George Cournoyer said he told the two males to leave or he would call police. About 20 minutes later, according to the police report, the father said he saw a sport utility vehicle pull up and numerous people started arguing in front of the house. He then said he heard shots ring out, and that he ran into his kitchen for cover.
Moments later, George Cournoyer said, he looked out his window and saw two people with gunshot wounds.
A memorial was erected at the site of the slaying. Yesterday afternoon, it contained about a dozen candles, several bouquets of flowers fastened to a light pole, a picture of Rosado and friends, and messages written on the pole.
One of the messages, apparently written by a close friend, expressed disbelief that Rosado was the city’s seventh homicide victim this year. “I can’t believe you’re gone . . . how will I live without you,’’ the message stated.
Three boys, riding bikes, pedaled up to the memorial yesterday afternoon and one of them scanned the asphalt.
“That’s blood,’’ the boy said. “Look,’’ another boy said, pointing to the picture on the pole. “She was beautiful.’’
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
