Man arrested for Christmas Eve murder at Lawrence nightclub – NBC Boston

A man is in custody nine months after allegedly killing another man at a Lawrence, Massachusetts nightclub.

29-year-old Edward Javier-Perez was shot dead in the Energy Lounge on Christmas Eve 2023.

The Essex County District Attorney's Office said Thursday that Franklin Laras, 27, of Lawrence, was in custody, but did not provide information about where he was arrested.

In March, the U.S. Marshals offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to Laras's arrest, citing his alleged armed and dangerous nature.

The Energy Lounge remains temporarily closed after a man was shot there on Christmas Eve.

After the shooting, the Energy Lounge's operating license was suspended

“This decision was made in part because the matter is currently under investigation by the Lawrence Police Department and Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Essex County District Attorney's Office,” Lawrence police said a few days after the shooting. “In addition, due to the nature of the incident and the fact that the perpetrator(s) remain at large, the Acting Chief of Police has determined that in the interest of public safety, the City must close the establishment and revoke the establishment's license to operate pending the outcome of the investigation. This immediate action is being taken on an expedited basis due to the overriding public safety concerns.”

Javier-Perez's girlfriend, Gerimar Maria, had previously stated that she wanted his killer to be caught.

“We want justice,” she said. “We don't want anyone to get hurt. Just justice.”

Laras will be arraigned Friday in Essex County Superior Court in Salem. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.