LYNN — Max Nicolas, a 48-year-old security guard from Groveland, was held without bail in an arraignment hearing Wednesday at Lynn District Court after he allegedly shot a man multiple times at 119 Lewis St. Tuesday night.
Nicolas is being charged with discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building and assault to murder after allegedly shooting Boston man Antonio Jones, 46, in the abdomen multiple times.
Lynn Police Officer Michael Donovan wrote in a police report that he and Officer Jose Torres were driving on Lewis Street when they were dispatched to a report of a disturbance involving an individual who was possibly shot.
Donovan’s police report narrative states that the 119 Lewis St. building has been the source of 175 calls for police service in 2023. He wrote that this year, the apartment building has been the source of several disturbances, trespassing, suspicious activity, and domestic violence. The building management recently hired Nicolas as an armed security guard.
Upon arrival to the scene, Donovan wrote that he and Torres saw people running out of the building screaming. When the officers entered the building, they saw Jones lying on his side in the common area with two gunshot wounds in his abdomen.
“Antonio was conscious and speaking at the time we made contact with him. Antonio stated ‘I was shot by the security guard,’ ” Donovan wrote.
When Donovan and Torres asked a “growing hostile crowd” surrounding them who shot Jones, the crowd pointed to Nicolas, who was standing outside next to a vehicle wearing his uniform.
Donovan reported that he and Officer Ken Pedone handcuffed Nicolas and removed a Glock 47 handgun from his holster.
After the officers secured Nicolas in a police cruiser, Donovan wrote that he spoke to resident Kathryn Cascio, who told him that she and Jones were standing outside her apartment door drinking, smoking, and listening to music.
“Kathryn stated that they were celebrating and Max told them to turn the music down and then punched ‘Tony’ [Jones] in the face,” Donovan wrote.
Torres also spoke to Marcus Yarrington, who was part of the crowd drinking and smoking in the hallway. Yarrington told police that Jones and Nicolas fought over the crowd’s music volume, and were falling down the stairs before Nicolas shot Jones.
“Marcus stated that Max and Tony then began to fight and that Max was responsible for throwing the first punch,” Donovan wrote.
Atlantic Ambulances transported Jones to Mass General Hospital to receive treatment for life-threatening injuries. At 10:40 p.m. Tuesday, Lynn Police Lieutenant Tom Holland said in an interview that Jones was in stable condition.
After being arrested, Nicolas told police that he was monitoring security cameras Wednesday night when he saw a crowd of people partying. When he went to the third floor to disperse the party, he told police that crowd members swore at him and threatened him.
“Max stated that the group became more aggressive stating that they were going to ‘[expletive] him up,’ ‘he’s dead’ and continued yelling,” Donovan wrote.
Donovan wrote that Nicolas told police Jones punched him in the face first, and continued to assault him until he fell down the stairs. He told police that he was concerned for his safety and fired twice in self-defense.
“Once on the lower floor, Max stated that he told Antonio to stay back and Antonio started running at him again. Max stated that he was scared of getting hurt when Antonio was charging him and he pulled out his gun and fired twice,” Donovan wrote.
Nicolas will be heard in a dangerous hearing Monday, March 13 at Lynn District Court.
In an interview with Nicolas’ attorney, Peter Marano, he stated that his client acted in self-defense, and that he was confident Nicolas would be exonerated.
“Mr. Nicolas was a security guard doing his job. He acted in self defense against a threat to his life, and he used minimal force necessary to defend himself,” Marano said. “When this goes before a jury, he will be exonerated.”
