Two young men in Worcester are now facing a series of firearms charges after a high-tech police operation led to the recovery of two loaded guns, one of which was found using a drone on a church roof. According to an official statement on the Worcester Police Department's Facebook page, the department's Crime Gun Intelligence Unit was conducting surveillance on 18-year-old Jamary Kilgore due to an active warrant related to gun charges from a previous investigation. When officers approached his vehicle on Hamilton Street on June 18, Kilgore and two others fled, initiating a chase.
The situation escalated when Kilgore, noticed with his hand in a cross-body fanny pack, was feared to have a weapon, prompting a detective to draw his firearm and issue a command to Kilgore to show his hands. Initially complying by dropping the bag, Kilgore then made a move to his right pocket and attempted to flee once more. His freedom was short-lived as he soon ceased running and surrendered. A subsequent search of the fanny pack he discarded revealed a loaded gun. The Worcester Police Department's post confirms that Kilgore now faces charges including carrying a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, resisting arrest, and other related offenses.
In a simultaneous chase, another individual, identified as Jacob Mercedes, also 18, was pursued by detectives after he too fled from the vehicle. The police were particularly watchful as Mercedes kept his hands near his hip, raising suspicions that he was concealing a gun. True to their suspicion, Mercedes was spotted throwing an object onto the roof of St. Stephen’s Church, producing a revealing metallic clatter. The detectives' instincts were right—ddespite giving a brief chase, Mercedes was arrested, and with the assistance of the Drone Unit, the discarded firearm was located on the roof, loaded and ready for use.
The recovered firearm led to additional charges against Mercedes, including possession of a large capacity firearm, ammunition without a permit, and possession of a large capacity feeding device. These charges, along with resisting arrest and disturbing the peace, highlight the seriousness of the case. The Worcester Police Department's actions underscore their commitment to reducing gun violence, using advanced methods like drones to ensure community safety. For more information on the arrests and ongoing investigation, visit the Worcester Police Department's original post.
