May 10, 2008 1:25 pm US/Eastern
Boston Teens Charged In 6th Grader's Killing
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Two teenagers charged in the shooting death of a 13-year-old boy they reportedly mistook for a rival gang member have been ordered held without bail after pleading not guilty at their arraignment.
Ninteen-year-old Nurudeen Alabi and 17-year-old Darrell Rodrigues are charged with murder in connection with the January 2007 slaying of Luis Gerena, a sixth-grader at the Clarence R. Edwards Middle School. Prosecutors say the shooting happened as part of an ongoing feud between two groups of youths associated with the Academy Homes and Heath Street areas.
However, Gerena, who grew up in Brighton and attended school in Charlestown, was not associated with either group, police said.
Family members said Luis had stayed late at school to do extra work and was walking home from the Jackson Square MBTA station when he was gunned down.
Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley said the victim was a "good kid" and had no known associations with gangs.
Attorneys for Alabi and Rodrigues did not immediately return calls for comment.
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