Suspect in double shooting is called armed, dangerous
One man is dead, another wounded after argument
PLYMOUTH— An argument over a beer led to the fatal shooting of an Abington man and left a second man in critical condition early yesterday, police said, as they continued to search for the alleged gunman.
Police issued an arrest warrant yesterday for Richard M. Boucher Jr., 18, of Kingston, who had crashed a small gathering of several close-knit youths early yesterday morning.
The dead man was identified as James Tigges, 23.
“He didn’t deserve to die; he was such a kind person,’’ said Maliza Egan, who consoled Tigges as he lay bleeding profusely outside 7 Cortelli Court after the 1 a.m. shooting.
“I was standing right there; I saw the whole thing,’’ Egan said. “It was like it was in slow motion. The look on his [Boucher’s] face, he wanted them dead. He just wouldn’t stop shooting.’’
Tigges and the other victim, Jackson Duncan, 17, were best friends, she said.
Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz held a press conference yesterday at Plymouth police headquarters, warning the public to consider Boucher armed and dangerous. Cruz said Boucher has a history of violence and is on probation, but he declined to give any specifics.
The warrant issued yesterday alleges murder, armed assault with intent to murder, and possession of a firearm without a license. Several people who attended the overnight gathering said Boucher regularly carried a weapon.
“He was always carrying, always showing it off,’’ said Earl Stewart, 19. “He would pull a gun out for fun.’’
He said Boucher showed up at the gathering uninvited with several friends, but was allowed to stay.
At approximately 1 a.m., Boucher allegedly stole a beer from Duncan, witnesses said. Michaela Plaisted, 18, a friend of Duncan, grabbed the beer from Boucher and returned it to Duncan, touching off an argument between Boucher, Duncan, and Tigges.
The argument moved outside, where the shootings occurred. Numerous residents said they heard gunshots and rushed to windows or doors to see what had happened.
Boucher ran down a nearby alley to get away. Plaisted chased Boucher for a short distance, but returned to Duncan and Tigges, both of whom were lying on the ground and bleeding, witnesses said.
Both victims were taken to Jordan Hospital in Plymouth and later airlifted to Boston, Tigges to Boston Medical Center and Duncan to Massachusetts General Hospital.
“I’m very confident we will have a suspect in custody in a very short period of time,’’ Police Chief Michael Botieri of Plymouth said early yesterday.
He said there had not been a homicide in Plymouth in several years but was unsure when the last one occurred.
Brian R. Ballou can be reached at bballou@globe.com. 
