DA: JP gang member who really wanted to shoot somebody on turf of rival Roxbury gang succeeded on second try

A Braintree man associated with Jamaica Plain's Heath Street gang was ordered held in lieu of $75,000 bail today on charges he shot somebody on the home turf of the rival H-Block gang on Friday after he allegedly tried but failed to shoot somebody else on the same street the night before, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports.

Prosecutors had asked for bail of $1 million for Paul Walrond, 22, of Braintree, at his arraignment today in Roxbury District Court. Judge David Weingarten set the lower amount.

According to the DA's office, Walrond shot a 22-year-old man on Holworthy Street around 7 p.m. on Friday, then sped off in a 2000 Cadillac Catera. Police stopped him at Parker and Heath streets - Heath Street territory - and, after questioning him and spotting a gun in the car, arrested him. The victim is expected to survive, authorities say.

The previous night, prosecutors say, Walrond drove to Holworthy and shot at an 18-year-old there - but missed:

A resident spoke with officers and said that as he was coming home he saw a dark-colored vehicle pull up in front of the building. The driver of that vehicle fired one shot at him. Responding officers saw what appeared to be bullet holes in the exterior door and door frame; the next day, a resident provided them with a damaged projectile found in the front hallway.

Prosecutors say Walrond told police why he twice drove to Holworthy Street:

In a recorded, post-Miranda statement at the Area B-2 station, Walrond allegedly admitted to Boston Police detectives that, though he didn't know who the victim was, he had shot the man on Holworthy Street earlier that evening. Walrond allegedly admitted to shooting at the uninjured victim the night before, as well. Walrond allegedly said that he'd undertaken these shootings because a friend had been shot by H-Block gang members on an earlier occasion.

In a statement, DA Dan Conley credited his arrest on Boston Police knowledge of local gang feuds:

This arrest was the direct result of Boston Police officers who knew their city. They weren't at the scene of the shooting, but they knew where the assailant was likely to turn up. They kept their eyes and ears open and made our streets safer as a result.

Innocent, etc.