Suspect arrested in 2022 shooting death of Weymouth teen in Quincy

Peter Blandino, The Patriot Ledger
Updated ·2 min read
5

QUINCY − A man wanted in the February 2022 killing of 17-year-old Nathan Paul, of Weymouth, is no longer at large.

Quincy and State Police went to Puerto Rico last week, where they took custody of Keniel Diaz-Romero and returned him to Massachusetts, according to a news release from the Norfolk County district attorney's office.

Diaz-Romero is scheduled to be arraigned on a murder charge at Dedham Superior Court on Tuesday at 2 p.m.

A Weymouth High student, Paul was shot in Quincy’s Germantown neighborhood during a drug deal, officials say. Prosecutors said Diaz-Romero; Jaivon Harris, of Quincy; and four juveniles planned to buy marijuana vape cartridges from Paul with fake money and then rob him.

Jaivon Harris, 18, of Quincy, third from left, was held without bail Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Quincy District Court after he was charged with murder in the shooting death of Nathan Paul, 17, of Weymouth. His lawyer, Francisco Napolitano, stands beside him.
Jaivon Harris, 18, of Quincy, third from left, was held without bail Tuesday, March 1, 2022, in Quincy District Court after he was charged with murder in the shooting death of Nathan Paul, 17, of Weymouth. His lawyer, Francisco Napolitano, stands beside him.

Officials said Diaz-Romero, who was 18 at the time, shot into Paul's car. Diaz-Romero then fled to Puerto Rico, officials say.

Paul was shot in the leg. He was taken to Boston Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Harris, who was also 18 at the time, pleaded not guilty to murder, armed robbery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on March 1, 2022.

Harris and Diaz-Romero were indicted in May on murder and other charges.

Diaz-Romero faces additional charges of larceny, possession of a counterfeit bill, uttering a counterfeit bill, conspiracy to commit larceny and unlawfully carrying a firearm. He is being held in the Norfolk County jail in Dedham pending his arraignment.

In July 2022, four juveniles were arrested and charged with larceny and using counterfeit bills in connection to the case. One of them was also charged with accessory to murder after the fact, according to a July 2022 news release from the district attorney's office.

Kelcie Barrow holds a framed drawing of her friend Nathan Paul, who was killed during the school year, at Weymouth High's graduation Saturday, June 4, 2022.
Kelcie Barrow holds a framed drawing of her friend Nathan Paul, who was killed during the school year, at Weymouth High's graduation Saturday, June 4, 2022.

More: Two indicted on murder charges in death of 17-year-old Nathan Paul; one 'remains at large'

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District Attorney Michael Morrissey said Quincy police worked with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section of the State Police to locate and return Diaz-Romero since his indictment 16 months ago.

“I thank Quincy Police Chief Mark Kennedy, the U.S. Marshals Boston Office and (the Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section) for their coordination and cooperation here,” Morrissey said in a statement.

Diaz-Romero is represented by Boston lawyer Liam Scully. Assistant District Attorney Aubrey Burr will represent the state.

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Reach Peter Blandino at pblandino@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Suspect arrested in 2022 Quincy shooting death of Weymouth student