Man Charged With Murder in 2003 Shooting Death of Worcester’s Christian Perez

Thursday, June 08, 2017

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Tyrone Strong was found guilty of first-degree murder in the 2003 shooting death of Worcester’s Christian Perez, 23, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.

“This was an extremely difficult case from start to finish. Our prosecution team of Brett F. Dillon and John H. Melander along with Fitchburg Police and State Police deserve credit for not backing down in their quest for justice,” said Early.

Judge Richard Tucker set the sentencing for Friday, June 9 at 2 p.m. First-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Incident

Perez was shot multiple times on Sept. 2, 2003, in an armed robbery on Middle Street in Fitchburg.

Prosecutors alleged that Strong and three other men were joint venturers in a plan to rob Perez of drugs and other items and that Perez was killed during the robbery.

Strong and the other three men were stopped by State Police about 45 minutes after the shooting on Route 2 in Harvard. Drugs and guns, as well as items belonging to Perez, were found in the car. Ballistics testing indicated that the guns found in the car did not match the weapon used in the fatal shooting.

The other three men in the car with Strong were also indicted for murder. Tony Ancrum was found not guilty in September.

The murder charge against Mitchell Rivera was dismissed in February. His brother, Giovanni Rivera, is awaiting trial.