WORCESTER, Mass. – Three men have been charged with murder in connection with a 2024 shooting that left two people dead in Worcester. The Worcester Police Department announced the charges on Monday.
The men, identified as Sheldon Thorpe, 22, from Fall River, Shaquille Watford, 31, from Weymouth, and Jeffrey Toney, 29, from Attleboro, are each facing two murder charges in the November 21, 2024, shooting at an apartment complex. In addition to murder charges, they are also facing two counts of armed assault with intent to rob and three firearms-related charges.
Authorities were able to locate and arrest Sheldon Thorpe in Dorchester on Monday. Shaquille Watford was arrested in Weymouth on April 3, with additional charges related to the shooting. Jeffrey Toney was already in police custody on unrelated charges.
Thorpe was arraigned on the murder charges on Tuesday in Worcester District Court, where a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf. He had previously pleaded not guilty to the armed assault and firearm charges on Monday. Thorpe was ordered held without bail and is scheduled to return to court on May 22.
Watford pleaded not guilty to the armed assault and firearm charges last Friday. He is expected to be arraigned on the murder charges on Thursday. Toney is also scheduled for arraignment on Thursday for all his related charges.
The two victims have not been publicly identified. According to police reports, officers responded to a Brookside Avenue apartment on November 21 after receiving reports of gunshots. Upon arrival, they found the man and woman with fatal gunshot wounds. The police report indicates signs of a struggle within the apartment, with US currency and packages believed to be marijuana scattered on the floor. Some items were also reported as missing.
The suspects are said to have left the apartment carrying large bags and fled the scene in a waiting vehicle. Police were able to identify Thorpe, Watford, and Toney through forensic evidence, witness testimony, surveillance footage, and GPS data from the getaway vehicle. Investigators also discovered text messages and social media posts linking Watford and Toney to one of the victims.
The investigation into the double homicide remains ongoing, and authorities have yet to release further details.
