BOSTON, April 1, 2008—Boston Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis and Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley today announced the arrests of two men in connection with the murder of 29-year-old Urel Duncan last year.SHAWN “SHANKS” DAUGHTRY, 27 (D.O.B. 5/14/80), and DEMETRIUS “DEMEET” WARDSWORTH, 19 (D.O.B. 12/26/88), both of Roxbury, were identified as suspects in Duncan’s Sept. 20, 2007, shooting death in the course of an extensive investigation by Boston Police homicide detectives on the street and Suffolk prosecutors in the Grand Jury.
Boston Police executed arrest warrants today and both men are expected to be arraigned tomorrow in Roxbury District Court on murder and related charges.
“These arrests are the direct result of police and prosecutors working hand in hand to build strong and ethical cases that will stand up in court,” Conley said. “Mr. Duncan’s family will never forget his loss, and neither will we.”
Commissioner Davis stated, “Random acts of violence have a debilitating effect on our community. A combination of hard work from the initial responding officers, steadfast detective work, the assistance of prosecutors and invaluable community cooperation led to the successful capture of the perpetrators responsible for Mr. Duncan’s death. Davis added, “Today’s arrests are evidence that people responsible for senseless acts of violence will be held accountable.”
Shortly before 9:30 on the night of Sept. 20, Boston Police responded to 60 Codman Park for a report of a person shot. On arrival, they located Duncan and a 19-year-old male suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were transported to Boston Medical Center, where Duncan succumbed to his injuries. The second victim survived with injuries that were not life-threatening; authorities are withholding his identity.
