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Armed Teen Killed In Shootout With Police

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BOSTON – Devastated by the recent death of a close friend, Manuel “Junior’’ DaVeiga went to pay condolences to the family Saturday night and then visited a makeshift memorial to him on Navillus Terrace in Dorchester, friends said.

Moments after he arrived at the memorial, DaVeiga was engaged in a shoot-out with police.

He died of gunshot wounds. It remains unclear whether the shot that killed him came from police or his own gun, according to two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the investigation.

John Cardosa, who grew up with 19-year-old DaVeiga near the site of the shooting, said he and several other friends were standing by the memorial when they heard two shots ring out and saw numerous police officers rush in their direction.

“Then there were more shots and more shots,’’ said Cardosa. “They didn’t have to shoot him like that, 15 times. He was running away and they just kept shooting at him.’’

Eddy Chrispin, Boston police spokesman, said yesterday, “Based on preliminary investigation, it appears he fired on us, and officers returned fire.’’

DaVeiga was among several men standing on a corner who were approached by police about 9:41, according to police. The teen fled when officers drew near, Chrispin said.

Police were in the area to question people who had been gathering at the memorial, made of candles, flowers, and liquor bottles, erected several days ago for 17-year-old Andrew Tavares, according to the two law enforcement officials.

Tavares, who was shot to death March 28 on Maywood Street in Roxbury, was a childhood friend of DaVeiga.

A police official, who requested anonymity because the case remains under investigation, said officers believed DaVeiga was involved in some of the gun-related violence that has been plaguing the area the past couple of weeks and wanted to talk to him.

The two law enforcement officials said officers believed DaVeiga was a gang member and carried a gun. When the officers approached DaVeiga, he fled, then turned around and began firing at them, the sources said. The officers returned fire, they said.

An autopsy will be conducted today, they said.

At the scene of the shooting Saturday night, Police Superintendent Daniel Linskey said police were investigating whether DaVeiga might have been shot with his own weapon.

One of the two sources said DaVeiga was shot in the head and stomach.

DaVeiga’s sister, Carla, said yesterday at the family home in Quincy that her brother wasn’t a troublemaker and was trying to make his life better. He was working toward obtaining his GED and had aspirations of going to college, she said.

“My brother would never kill himself,’’ she said. “He didn’t have the greatest life but he wouldn’t kill himself. He wouldn’t take the easy way out. The cops are the ones who are cowards. They shot him 15 times.’’