WORCESTER—A Worcester man has been indicted on a murder charge related to the November 2023 shooting death of 29-year-old Darilton Matias on Grand Street, announced Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.
Jose Ortiz Maldonado, 25, was indicted by a Worcester County Grand Jury on several counts, including murder, kidnapping, strangulation, two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery on a family or household member, possession of a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition without an FID card, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling.
The charges originate from the Nov. 5, 2023, shooting incident that occurred around 1:18 a.m. on Grand Street, where Worcester police responded to a report of gunshots and discovered Matias on the ground, suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers administered medical aid until paramedics arrived and transported Matias to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Maldonado was apprehended on Nov. 8 and initially arraigned in Worcester Central District Court on several charges related to the shooting, including strangulation, kidnapping, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He was held as a dangerous person for the maximum period of 120 days allowed under Massachusetts law, after which bail was set at $50,000 cash.
Maldonado has remained in custody since his arrest.
The indictment advances Maldonado’s case to Worcester Superior Court, where he is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday, June 28.
Charlene Arsenault can be reached at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
