Man fatally shot after ‘minor traffic incident’ in central Plymouth

Local news

David Jerome, 23, faces multiple charges in connection with the shooting, including murder, child endangerment and possession of a large capacity feeding device.

A 23-year-old man allegedly shot and killed another Plymouth man after a minor traffic incident in downtown Plymouth on Friday evening, officials said.

David Jerome, of Plymouth, was arrested around 5:45 p.m. in the city’s Middle Street parking lot, where the shooting occurred, Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz announced. Jerome is facing multiple charges in connection with the shooting, including murder, child endangerment and possession of a large capacity feeding device.

The prosecutor claims Jerome and the other man were involved in “a minor traffic incident and a physical altercation.” Brent Berkeley, 41, was then shot multiple times and transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth, where he died.

“We’re not going to speculate on the motive, whether or not this was road rage,” Cruz said said at a news conference. “There was clearly anger that night.”

Jerome had a legal permit to carry a gun, meaning he had no prior criminal record, Cruz said. He is also charged with discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, improper storage of a firearm, careless operation of a motor vehicle and improper storage of ammunition.

Witnesses identified Jerome as the alleged shooter and Plymouth police arrested him, the district attorney said. Jerome’s 18-month-old son was in the back of his Toyota Rav 4.

The Plymouth Independent reported that witnesses saw Jerome trying to save Berkeley by administering CPR. The news organization said Jerome allegedly fired a high-capacity weapon, the same type of weapons he listed on his Facebook page.

“We now live in a world where many people have a short fuse and terrible things happen very quickly and can escalate very quickly,” Cruz said. “Unfortunately, look at the aftermath, look at what’s happening, look at how one family has lost someone forever and the other family is dealing with significant issues, and it’s impacting the community.”

Tavern in Plymouth raises money for victim’s children, partner

The city’s Middle Street parking lot is located near it Speedwell Tavernwhere the Berkeley partner works. Cruz said the area was closed for about 45 minutes.

Speedwell Tavern owner Jordan Chabot wrote on Facebook that the business will be closed until Monday.

“The outpouring from the community has been overwhelming. Plymouth is a place like no other… and we show up for each other again and again,” Chabot wrote. “But out of respect for the victims of this terrible event, we must temper that energy and ensure we grant them their privacy and dignity.”

Chabot said they will donate an entire day of surgery to support Berkeley’s family on Friday. He also linked A GoFundMe to support his partner Jessie and their two children. A description of the fundraiser said the couple had been together for more than half their lives.

“Brent was a hardworking and dedicated father. He was truly one of a kind and loved by everyone who knew him,” wrote Meggie Linde, the fundraiser organizer who also works at Speedwell. “In the blink of an eye and a senseless act of violence, Brent is gone and Jessie is left to raise two beautiful children as a single parent.”

The GoFundMe raised more than $101,000 out of a $150,000 goal on Sunday evening.

Jerome is expected to appear in court on Monday.