New Bedford, Fall River Men Arrested in Taunton Murder
TAUNTON — Two local men have been arrested in connection with a fatal stabbing in Taunton.
Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III announced Tuesday the arrests of Jerome Middleton, 19, of Fall River, and Khaylon Cruz, 24, of New Bedford. Middleton was apprehended in Brockton at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. Cruz was arrested at the Dartmouth Motor Inn in Dartmouth at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Both Middleton and Cruz have been charged with murder and armed robbery.
Prosecutors allege that Cruz and Middleton stabbed Justin Paulo, 31, of Taunton, multiple times on Saturday, January 5, at about 11:15 p.m. It appears a firearm was also used by the suspects during the assault, according to the District Attorney's Office.
Paulo was transported to Rhode Island Hospital. He succumbed to his injuries on Sunday morning.
Prosecutors say that during the assault on Paulo, several items belonging to the victim were stolen.
Middleton is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon in Taunton District Court. Cruz will face arraignment either Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning.
Paulo's death was Taunton's first homicide since 2016.