State Police Add Suspect in Lawrence Nightclub Homicide to Most Wanted List

The Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section today added FRANKLIN M. LARAS, 27, to its list of Most Wanted fugitives. LARAS is wanted for murder for the Dec. 24, 2023 shooting homicide of Edward Javier-Perez at the Energy Lounge in Lawrence.

LARAS is 5’7” tall and approximately 200 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes. He is heavily tattooed on both arms and his torso, including the numbers 495 tattooed on his left shoulder and 1838 below the front of his neck. In addition to Lawrence, he has ties to Springfield and Palmer.

On Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, Lawrence Police responded to reports of gunfire at the Energy Lounge at 459 Broadway. Officers located Javier-Perez, 29, suffering from a gunshot wound. Javier-Perez was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. An investigation by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police, and Lawrence Police identified LARAS as the shooter. Evidence suggests that shortly after entering the club, LARAS had an altercation with Javier-Perez, during which he drew a handgun and shot the victim from close range. LARAS fled the scene and remains at large. The firearm used in the shooting was not recovered.

Investigators obtained an arrest warrant from Essex Superior Court charging LARAS with murder and two counts of a firearms violation. The firearms offenses are enhanced versions based on LARAS’ having two prior convictions for crimes involving drugs or violence.

FRANKLIN LARAS is actively attempting to evade capture and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees or has information about LARAS is urged not to approach, but rather, to call the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-KAPTURE (1-800-527-8873) or call 911.

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