Jonathan Deleon Arrested for Hit-and-Run Turned Violent in Lowell

Hit-and-Run Incident Escalates into Violent Altercation in Lowell

On a seemingly ordinary evening in the Lower Highlands of Lowell, a hit-and-run motor vehicle crash took a terrifying turn when a driver allegedly resorted to violence and gunshots following a confrontation over the collision.

The incident unfolded on Branch Street at approximately 10:15 p.m. on April 1, as a man dialed 911 to report a crash and subsequent threats of physical altercation from the other driver involved. Moments later, a second call to 911 revealed that the situation had escalated further, with gunshots reportedly fired by the driver of the other vehicle.

The victim of the alleged assault, a 30-year-old man from Lowell, recounted to responding officers that the ordeal began when his vehicle was rear-ended by a black Chevy pickup truck near 122 Branch St. Upon inspecting the damage, the driver of the truck abruptly fled the scene.

Undeterred, the victim decided to follow the truck and caught up with it in the vicinity of School Street and Sawtelle Place. Stepping out of his vehicle to address the driver, the victim was met with a barrage of punches to the face, leaving him bloodied and bruised.

After the physical assault, the situation took a more sinister turn, with the suspect allegedly brandishing a handgun. Fearing for his safety, the victim swiftly retreated to his car and sped away, narrowly escaping the reported gunfire that followed.

Authorities later recovered a 9mm shell casing at the scene, corroborating the victim’s account of the events. Despite initial attempts to gather information from nearby surveillance cameras, little progress was made in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

Breakthrough in the Investigation

Assistance in the investigation came unexpectedly the following evening, as Jonathan Deleon, the individual identified as the suspect, reached out to the police to report his vehicle’s involvement in a hit-and-run crash. Deleon’s admission linked him to the black Chevy pickup truck at the center of the previous night’s turmoil.

Upon arranging a photo array for the victim to identify the perpetrator, Deleon was singled out as the assailant responsible for the violent altercation. Subsequent questioning led to Deleon’s arrest at his residence on School Street, where authorities uncovered the surveillance cameras sought after in the initial stages of the investigation.

Despite the absence of a firearm at the scene, Deleon faces charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, discharging a firearm within close proximity to a building, and unlawfully carrying a firearm without a license.

Legal Proceedings and Previous Offenses

Deleon’s history of violent offences came to light during his recent arraignment, prompting a dangerousness hearing that resulted in his remand without bail. Scheduled to return to court for a pretrial hearing on April 24, Deleon’s legal predicament remains unresolved.

With his attorney refraining from comment on the allegations, the case against Deleon serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and uncertainties that accompany criminal proceedings.

As the investigation continues to unfold, the residents of Lowell are left to contemplate the implications of a seemingly routine incident that spiralled into a harrowing ordeal of violence and gunfire.

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