Henry Tapia; Dean Kapsalis.Photo: Gofundme; Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Charges have been filed in Massachusetts against a 54-year-old Hudson man who stands accused of killing a 34-year-old Boston man during a violent road rage encounter last week during which the suspect allegedly hurled racial epithets at the victim.
On Monday, in a statement, the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office announced formal murder charges had been filed against Kapsalis, along with motor vehicle and civil rights charges.
The statement alleges investigators learned from eyewitnesses that “the defendant and the victim were engaged in [a] verbal altercation in the roadway when the defendant,” who is white, “began yelling racial slurs at the victim, a Black man.”
Henry Tapia.Gofundme
Police arrived at the scene, and broadcast a BOLO alert for Kapsalis' truck. Less than 30 minutes later, Kapsalis “turned himself in to police,” says the statement.
According tothe Boston Globe, Kapsalis allegedly told investigators Tapia had threatened him with a gun.
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No weapons were recovered from the victim’s vehicle, the paper reports.
In addition to murder, Kapsalis is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, a civil rights violation causing injury, and leaving the scene of an accident causing death. Not guilty pleas have been entered on his behalf.
Vigil For Henry Tapia.Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff
He remains in custody without bail.
PEOPLE was unable to reach Kapsalis' attorney for comment.
He is due back in court for a March 1 hearing.
Meanwhile,a GoFundMe campaignhas already raised over $150,000 for Tapia’s family, including his three children.
The page mentions that Tapia was “a significant part” of the New England gaming scene. Particularly, Tapia was a fan of the Japanese fighting gameTekken.
source: people.com
