• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • My Account
  • Subscribe
  • Log In
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Police/Fire
  • Government
  • Obituaries
  • Archives
  • E-Edition
  • Help
Itemlive

Itemlive

North Shore news powered by The Daily Item

This article was published 3 year(s) and 3 month(s) ago
Assistant District Attorney Heidi Sylvanowicz, right, speaks during Charles Burgess' arraignment for murder as Clerk Ann Dawley listens at Peabody District Court on Monday. (Vanessa Leroy)

25-year-old man fatally shot in Peabody

Gayla Cawley and Adam Bass

January 24, 2022 by Gayla Cawley, Adam Bass

PEABODY — A homicide investigation is underway after a 25-year-old man was shot to death on Wallis Street Sunday night, according to Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett and Peabody Police Chief Tom Griffin.  

Peabody Police responded to a shooting at 78 Wallis St. at 9:41 p.m. and found Prince Thompson suffering from a gunshot wound. Police and paramedics administered emergency first aid to the victim at the scene; Thompson was taken by ambulance to Salem Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the Essex County District Attorney’s office.

A suspect in the shooting, Charles Burgess, 26, of Peabody, has been arrested and charged with murder. He pleaded not guilty and was held without bail Monday during an arraignment in Peabody District Court. 

Prior to the arrest, police had been looking for a black 2006 Ford Fusion that may have been driven by the suspect, who was described as a white man, approximately 5 feet, 8 inches in height with a medium build, green or blue eyes, and who was seen wearing a ski mask and black clothing at the time of the incident, Peabody Police said. 

A tip came in for a black Ford Fusion at the Northgate Shopping Center in Revere on Sunday night, according to Assistant District Attorney Heidi Sylvanowicz.

An arrest warrant was issued on Monday for Burgess, who had gone into hiding, Sylvanowicz said. Later that day, police received a tip for the suspect’s whereabouts and arrived at 1875 Dorchester St. in Boston, which is where Burgess’ grandmother resides, Sylvanowicz said. 

Sylvanowicz said law enforcement went to the Boston residence, knocked on the door and asked the respondent if Burgess was in the building. The person responded affirmatively, saying that Burgess was in the bathroom. From there, police knocked on the bathroom door and told the suspect to come out immediately. When Burgess opened the door, he was taken into custody and was found to be in possession of a loaded gun magazine, Sylvanowicz said. 

Police also found cocaine at the scene of the crime. Burgess was said to have been selling marijuana, but he claimed he was unaware that he was selling cocaine, Sylvanowicz said.

The homicide is under investigation by the Essex District Attorney’s office, Peabody Police Department and State Police detectives assigned to the DA’s office. People with information regarding the shooting are urged to contact the Peabody Police Department at 978-531-1212 or 978-538-6364. 

Burgess will return to court on Feb. 15 for a probable cause hearing. 

  • Gayla Cawley
    Gayla Cawley

    Gayla Cawley is the former news editor of the Daily Item. She joined The Item as a reporter in 2015. The University of Connecticut graduate studied English and Journalism. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley.

    View all posts
  • Adam Bass
    Adam Bass

    View all posts

Related posts:

No related posts.

Primary Sidebar

Advertisement

RELATED POSTS:

No related posts.

Sponsored Content

What questions should I ask when choosing a health plan?

Building Customer Loyalty Through Personalized Shopping Experiences

Advertisement

Footer

About Us

  • About Us
  • Editorial Practices
  • Advertising and Sponsored Content

Reader Services

  • Subscribe
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Activate Subscriber Account
  • Submit an Obituary
  • Submit a Classified Ad
  • Daily Item Photo Store
  • Submit A Tip
  • Contact
  • Terms and Conditions

Essex Media Group Publications

  • La Voz
  • Lynnfield Weekly News
  • Marblehead Weekly News
  • Peabody Weekly News
  • 01907 The Magazine
  • 01940 The Magazine
  • 01945 The Magazine
  • North Shore Golf Magazine

© 2025 Essex Media Group