Suffolk DA Clears Boston Officer in Fatal Shooting
District Attorney Kevin Hayden rules the 2025 shooting of Lemark Jaramillo by an off-duty officer was justifiable force.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Law Enforcement
Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden has cleared Boston Police Officer Jose Valenzuela of criminal charges regarding a fatal shooting on March 1, 2025. The investigation concluded that the use of force was justified to protect a 17-year-old victim.
Why it matters
The ruling resolves a high-profile inquiry into an incident where an off-duty officer intervened to stop a violent attack at a local restaurant. By releasing body camera footage and witness accounts, authorities aim to provide transparency regarding the officer's actions.
District Attorney Kevin Hayden released a final report, body camera footage, and witness interviews on October 21, 2026. The investigation officially cleared Officer Jose Valenzuela of all criminal wrongdoing.
The players
Kevin Hayden
He serves as the Suffolk District Attorney and is responsible for prosecuting crimes and overseeing investigative reports in the county.
Jose Valenzuela
He is a Boston Police officer who was involved in the fatal shooting while off-duty and dressed in civilian clothing.
Lemark Jaramillo
He was a 32-year-old man who was fatally shot by an officer after allegedly chasing a teenager with a knife.
The details
On March 1, 2025, 32-year-old Lemark Jaramillo chased a 17-year-old male into a Chick-fil-A at 569 Boylston St. following a fight at a nearby Chipotle. Officer Valenzuela, who was off-duty and in civilian clothes, fired his weapon after Jaramillo ignored commands to drop a knife.
Timeline
March 1, 2025: Officer Jose Valenzuela fatally shot Lemark Jaramillo.
October 21, 2026: District Attorney Kevin Hayden released the final report on the shooting.
Legal Context
This investigation adheres to the Suffolk County District Attorney's office use of force review protocols for evaluating officer-involved shootings. Such reviews are standard procedure in the jurisdiction when determining if an officer's actions meet the criteria for self-defense.
The release of body camera footage provides the local community with official insight into how the police department handles off-duty interventions in public spaces. Residents can view the full documentation released by the District Attorney to understand the procedural outcome.
The takeaway
Transparency in officer-involved shooting investigations remains a critical priority for local law enforcement agencies. Reviewing publicly available reports is the most accurate way for citizens to understand the legal standards applied to use-of-force incidents.
Further reading
Find more local updates on the Law Enforcement page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Thebostonsun.
