Local News

Christmas Eve murder suspect added to state’s most wanted list

Police said Franklin Laras, 27, has ties to Lawrence, Palmer, and Springfield.

Mass. State Police

April 17, 2024

State police announced Wednesday that the suspect in a murder at nightclub in Lawrence on Christmas Eve has been added to the agency’s most wanted list.

Police said Franklin Laras, 27, has ties to Lawrence, Palmer, and Springfield. He is accused of fatally shooting 29-year-old Edward Javier-Perez at the Energy Lounge in Lawrence on Dec. 24, 2023.

Lawrence police responded to reports of gunfire at the bar on Christmas Eve and on arrival found Javier-Perez suffering from a gunshot wound. Investigators identified Laras as the shooter, with evidence indicating he shot Javier-Perez at close range after the pair had an altercation, police said.

Laras allegedly fled the scene and remains at large. He has been charged with murder and two counts of a firearms violation, according to police.

“Laras is 5’7” tall and approximately 200 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes,” police said. “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.”

Police said Laras should be considered armed and dangerous and urged anyone who sees him to not approach, but to call the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-KAPTURE (1-800-527-8873) or call 911.