Two Lowell men who had been kicked out of a New Year's party returned dressed in the colors of their gang and armed with rifles, then fired into the crowd, killing one young woman and injuring seven others, a prosecutor said today at the men's arraignment.
Jameson Phuon, 20, and Sothy Voeun, 19, pleaded not guilty in Lowell District Court. Each faces one count of murder in the slaying of Corinna Ouer, 20, of Lowell. They were ordered held without bail and a status hearing was set for Jan. 19.
Lowell police discovered the eight shooting victims when they responded to a report of shots fired at 104 Grand St. at 1:20 a.m. on Jan. 1, prosecutors said.
Assistant Middlesex District Attorney Cara Krysil, outlining the government's case, said Phuon and someone at the party in the basement apartment had a gang-related argument that led to Phuon and Voeun being kicked out sometime after midnight. The two men fired shots into the air after they left. Police came and found no one in the vicinity and left.
Phuon and Voeun allegedly returned, dressed in red, the color of their gang, the Bloods, and kicked in the door, yelling at everyone to get down on the floor. About 20 to 25 people were attending the party. Phuon shot into the crowd, allegedly hitting Ouer and seven others, ranging in age from 14 to 20. Voeun stood behind Phuon, also armed with a rifle, Krysil said.
Phuon and Voeun were arrested later the same morning.
Voeun's bail was also revoked today on a May case in which he faces charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, improper storage of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition for allegedly keeping a loaded rifle in his bedroom closet.
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