LAWRENCE — Local and state police are looking for a man who’s been on the run since a fatal shooting at a Lawrence nightclub last December.
Franklin Laras, 27, allegedly shot and killed Edward Javier Perez at the Energy Lounge nightclub, 459 Broadway, on Dec. 24, Massachusetts State Police announced after placing Laras on the state’s most wanted list.
Laras has a connection to Lawrence. In 2018, he was arrested and charged with carrying a firearm illegally and assault with a dangerous weapon after flashing a handgun to a landscaper who blew grass clippings near his car. His address was listed as Chester Street at the time.
An arrest warrant charges him with murder and two counts of firearms violation with two prior violent or drug crimes. Nationwide extradition has been authorized.
At 12:20 a.m. on Christmas Eve, Lawrence Police responded to the nightclub for reported gunfire.
Officers found a man, later identified as Javier-Perez, age 29, wounded by a gunshot. Javier-Perez was treated at the scene by Lawrence Police and EMTs, according to police. He was transported to Lawrence General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Laras was identified as the alleged shooter after an investigation performed by Lawrence Police, the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office.
Laras is alleged to have had an altercation with Javier-Perez shortly after entering the nightclub. Laras allegedly drew out a handgun and fired one shot at Javier-Perez from a close range.
He then fled the scene and has not been located since the shooting, state police said in the release.
Laras is considered armed and dangerous. He also has ties to Springfield and Palmer, Massachusetts.