By Valerie Gomez
Taylor Poulin, 21, of Newton was arrested on March 26 in Windham, Maine, as a suspect in connection to the fatal shooting of a Waltham teenager. According to WCVB, local police were able to track down Poulin with the help of Waltham Police and Massachusetts State Police.
Tyler Zanco, 17, a senior at Waltham High School, was shot in the Gardencrest Apartments parking lot March 20 during an attempted drug rip-off. The same night Zanco was pronounced dead at Newton-Wellesley Hospital.
According to the Boston Globe, Zanco and two classmates planned to rob Poulin, whom they believed had cheated Zanco’s cousin of 2 ounces of marijuana.
Junior Ben Sisson, a South student and Newton resident, finds this incident disturbing, especially due to its proximity to Newton.
“It’s pretty bad situation all in all… when you think someone has cheated you for that much money, of course you are going to want to do something about it, and anger can cloud your thoughts easily,” Sisson said. “It’s scary how a high schooler could be involved in a drug deal and end up shot. Especially because the shooting happened so close [to Newton], this incident could be concerning for students at South.”
Poulin faces charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, unlicensed possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to violate drug laws.
According to Waltham Patch, at 1 p.m. Friday, Poulin is expected to be arraigned in Portland District Court in Maine on fugitive from justice charges.
Police continue to search for Domingo Mendes, 22, who is wanted for murder in connection with the case, possession of firearm, and conspiracy to violate drug laws. According to the DA’s office, he is a 5 foot 10 inch, 165-pound black male. Mendes is considered armed and dangerous.
Mendes and Poulin both have prior arrests on drug charges.
Junior Arjun Sridhar believes the death of the Waltham High School senior is tragic but is relieved that Poulin has been arrested.
“I think it’s stupid why anyone would murder someone in the first place but especially over something as stupid as a couple of ounces of weed is crazy. I guess it shows how [addicted] some people can get to drugs and how much [drugs] can control people’s lives,” Sridhar said.
