THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MIDDLESEX DISTRICT ATTORNEY
15 COMMONWEALTH AVE WOBURN MA 01801
For Immediate Release Contact: Jessica Venezia
781-897-8325
Charges Upgraded In Connection With Saturday’s Shooting In Westford
Westford Man Now Charged With Murder Of Wife
WOBURN– Charges have been upgraded in connection with a shooting that occurred Saturday night in Westford, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today.
Frederick Leduc, 45, of Westford, was arrested yesterday and charged with armed assault with intent to murder, illegal possession of a firearm, illegal discharge of a firearm, and illegal possession of ammunition in connection with the shooting of his wife, Karen Leduc, 43, of Westford. The victim, Karen Leduc, who was in critical condition since the incident, has now died and the intent to murder charges against Frederick Leduc have been upgraded to first degree murder.
Frederick Leduc remains hospitalized and a bedside arraignment on these charges will occur today at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston at 2pm.
According to authorities, at approximately 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening, Westford Police and State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office responded to reports of a shooting at 48 Forge Village Road in Westford. Upon arrival, authorities located a male, the defendant, and a female, the victim, evidencing obvious gun shot wounds.
The defendant was life-flighted to Massachusetts General Hospital. The female victim, identified as Karen Leduc, 43, was life-flighted to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester and has now died.
Westford Police and State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office conducted an immediate investigation into the circumstances of the shooting. It is alleged that the defendant purposefully shot the victim, and then intentionally shot himself after an argument.
The investigation remains ongoing.
These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The Assistant District Attorney assigned to the case is Suzanne Kontz. The Victim Witness Advocate is Dora Quiroz.
