Eighteen-year-old Adrian Pena faced a judge in Superior Court in Salem today, standing accused of the June 15, 2024, shooting that ended the life of 17-year-old Kai Burgos in Lynn. The shooting took place in a Market Basket parking lot on 40 Federal Street, and Pena was charged with murder and carrying a firearm without a license. In court, Pena pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail, as reported by the Lynn Police Department.
On the fateful day, Lynn Police discovered Burgos inside a crashed car with a gunshot wound after the vehicle had rolled into an adjacent ravine. Efforts to save his life were in vain as he was pronounced dead at Salem Hospital. After an extensive hunt that extended beyond national boundaries, Pena was captured by the U.S. Marshals Service in the Dominican Republic on July 16, 2024, just a month after the crime. The fugitive from justice was extradited and then arraigned in Miami, before being formally charged with Burgos' murder on July 23, 2024.
This case involved local, federal, and international authorities, including the Lynn Police, Massachusetts State Police, and law enforcement in the Dominican Republic. Their teamwork led to Pena's arrest and extradition. District Attorney Paul F. Tucker praised the joint effort and emphasized that fleeing the country doesn’t mean escaping prosecution, sending a strong message to criminals.
The prosecution is being led by Assistant District Attorney A.J. Camelio, while defense attorney Eduardo Masferrer represents Pena. A compliance hearing for Pena is set for November 18, 2024. As the judicial process unfolds, it is important to remember that all suspects and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. This fundamental principle of justice remains as Pena awaits his next court appearance.