Waltham man convicted in 2023 shooting

By CHRISTIAN MAITRE

Waltham Times Contributing Writer

A Waltham man was recently convicted on charges related to the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Shelson Jules that took place on the morning of May 22, 2023, according to the Middlesex District Attorney’s office.

Josh Pierre, 23, of Waltham, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and carrying a firearm without a license by a Middlesex Superior Court jury. Pierre’s sentencing will be held on May 27 at Middlesex Superior Court.

According to a press release issued on Tuesday by the Middlesex District Attorney’s office, Waltham police launched their investigation on May 22, 2023, after responding to a report of gunshot noises on Lyman Street around 1:30 a.m. and finding Jules on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds. Jules was transported to a hospital, where medical staff determined he was already dead.

The investigation revealed that Jules and Pierre had had a verbal altercation through Snapchat, a social messaging app, earlier that morning. Jules had told Pierre to meet him at the intersection of Faneuil Road and Lyman Street to fight. Witnesses said they saw both parties argue and fight before Pierre retrieved a gun from a vehicle and then shot Jules. 

Pierre fled the scene but was later found and arrested by authorities in Miramar, Florida, on Sept. 22 2023, following a joint investigation by the Waltham Police Department, the Middlesex District Attorney’s office and the Massachusetts State Police. The Miramar Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Marshals Service also provided assistance in the investigation.