Shelter arrest raises concerns statewide
Jan 08, 2025
BOSTON (WWLP) - Governor Healey has ordered an inspection of all Massachusetts shelter sites following the arrest of a shelter resident who possessed $1 million of fentanyl and a loaded AR-15.
The 28-year-old suspect was staying in the Revere Quality Inn--which currently acts as an emergency housing site--and entered the country illegally, according to the federal government.
Healey says her administration's shelter review will begin with the Revere site.
"There is zero tolerance for criminal activity or bad actors within any of the shelter sites or state-sponsored sites," said Healey.
Republican lawmakers and officials are raising questions about how the alleged criminal was placed in a shelter when state policies dictate a thorough background check.
"Why are long-term Massachusetts families left waiting for emergency housing while a criminal illegal immigrant is conducting a criminal enterprise from within state-funded housing? This amounts to a state-funded crime," said Amy Carnevale, the Republican Party's State Chair in a statement.
The governor has a more optimistic outlook. "The vast majority of folks are complying with rules, kids are in school, many of them are working, relative to that number, the instances have been very few," said Healey.
The governor renewed calls for federal action to advance a border security bill to amend the asylum system and tighten down on who is permitted to enter the country.
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Shelter arrest raises concerns statewide
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