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Boston, Massachusetts: Dorchester Man Arrested on Manslaughter Charge in February Punching Death

Boston police said homicide detectives arrested Jason Jones, 39, of Dorchester on Wednesday night on a warrant charging him with manslaughter in the death of Stephen Barrett, 66, who was punched outside 1931 Dorchester Avenue on February 10 and died of his injuries on February 17.

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Boston, Massachusetts: Dorchester Man Arrested on Manslaughter Charge in February Punching Death

Key points

  • Boston homicide detectives have arrested a Dorchester man on a manslaughter charge in connection with the February death of a 66-year-old man who was punched outside a building on Dorchester…
  • Jason Jones, 39, of Dorchester, was arrested at about 8:36 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, in the area of 1900 Dorchester Avenue, according to the Boston Police Department.
  • The case began on Tuesday, February 10, at about 8:41 p.m., when officers from the department's Dorchester district, District C-11, responded to a report of an unconscious man on the ground…

Boston homicide detectives have arrested a Dorchester man on a manslaughter charge in connection with the February death of a 66-year-old man who was punched outside a building on Dorchester Avenue, Boston police said on Thursday.

Jason Jones, 39, of Dorchester, was arrested at about 8:36 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, in the area of 1900 Dorchester Avenue, according to the Boston Police Department. Detectives arrested him on a straight warrant issued earlier that day in Dorchester District Court. Jones is charged with manslaughter and with assault and battery on a person 60 or older or disabled, police said. The charges are allegations, and Jones is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

The February night on Dorchester Avenue

The case began on Tuesday, February 10, at about 8:41 p.m., when officers from the department's Dorchester district, District C-11, responded to a report of an unconscious man on the ground outside 1931 Dorchester Avenue, police said. Officers found Stephen Barrett, 66, of Dorchester, unresponsive while Boston Fire Department personnel performed CPR. Boston EMS took Barrett to a local hospital.

Investigators determined that Barrett had been punched by a man, which caused him to fall backward and strike his head against the pavement, according to police. Barrett died of his injuries on February 17, a week after the assault.

Warrant, arrest and what comes next

Following the investigation by the Boston Police Homicide Unit, detectives identified Jones as the suspect and obtained the arrest warrant that led to Wednesday's arrest, police said. Jones is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court.

Police said the Homicide Unit is still investigating the facts and circumstances of the incident. The department asked anyone with information to contact the Homicide Unit at (617) 343-4470. Community members can also give information anonymously through the CrimeStoppers tip line at 1-800-494-TIPS, by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463), or online through Boston Police CrimeStoppers, and photos and videos connected to the investigation can be submitted anonymously the same way.

For people affected by the incident, police pointed to the Boston Neighborhood Trauma Team, which offers free, round-the-clock, confidential emotional support at (617) 431-0125.

No further details about what led to the February confrontation were released by police on Thursday, and no court date beyond the expected arraignment had been announced.

Timeline

  1. Feb 10, 2026At about 8:41 p.m., Dorchester district officers respond to an unconscious man outside 1931 Dorchester Avenue and find Stephen Barrett, 66, unresponsive as Boston firefighters perform CPR, police say.
  2. Feb 17, 2026Barrett dies of his injuries a week after investigators say he was punched, fell backward and struck his head on the pavement, police say.
  3. Oct 28, 2026A warrant is issued in Dorchester District Court, and at about 8:36 p.m. homicide detectives arrest Jason Jones, 39, near 1900 Dorchester Avenue on manslaughter and assault and battery charges, police say.

Sources