Dorchester shooting suspect says he killed man in self-defense

A Dorchester man who was accused of shooting and killing another man inside an apartment this week is reportedly saying that the incident was an act of self-defense.

Angel Rivera, 30, was arrested after police responded to 107 Bloomfield St. in Dorchester at about 1:40 a.m. Thursday. A man was found suffering from gunshot wounds inside the apartment building, and he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to officials. The victim’s name has not been released.

Rivera was charged with manslaughter and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. He was arraigned in Dorchester District Court later on Thursday. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges, according to court documents. Rivera is being held in Suffolk County Jail on $20,000 cash bail.

In court, Rivera’s attorney Francisco Napolitano said that the shooting victim broke into Rivera’s home in the middle of the night. Rivera called 911 and said that he shot the intruder, according to Napolitano, per footage from WHDH.

“He has a reasonable fear at 1:30 in the morning that somebody is in the house who shouldn’t be there. He’s in fear for his own life, he’s in fear for his wife and his mother, and so if he does something to defend himself, it’s completely understandable,” Napolitano said in court.

Authorities say that they did not find signs of a break-in when they arrived at the scene.

Napolitano could not be reached for comment Friday.

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