News

Warrants issued for two men wanted in connection with Waltham teen death

WALTHAM, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- The Middlesex District Attorney has issued warrants for two men wanted in connection with the shooting death of Waltham teen Tyler Zanco.

Zanco, 17, was shot just after 10 p.m. Thursday, March 20 in the parking lot of the Gardencrest Apartments in Waltham.

He was transported to Newton Wellesley Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

On Tuesday, arrest warrants were issued for two men suspected of being connected to Zanco's death.

Domingo Mendes, 22, of Belmont is wanted on charges of murder, possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to violate drug laws. He is described as a black male, 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighing around 165 pounds. Law enforcement considers him armed and dangerous.

Taylor Poulin, 21, of Newton is wanted on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, unlicensed possession of a firearm, and conspiracy to violate drug laws.  He is described as a white male, 6 feet tall, weighing 220 pounds.  He may be driving a black 2002 Ford Explorer.

The Zanco family released a statement Wednesday that read in part: "We would like to thank the Waltham Police Dept. for their hard work and diligence in working to apprehend those responsible for Tyler's death. We have faith that justice will be served by the judicial system, allowing us to begin the grieving process for the loss of our beloved son Tyler. We would also like to thank those who have donated and offered their support to us in this terrible time. We are heartened with the fact that so many people expressed how they were touched by Tyler in his time with us."

The statement went on to say that the family would like their privacy to be respected as they mourn the loss of Tyler.

Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of either Mendes or Poulin is asked to call Waltham Police at 781-314-3607 or Massachusetts State Police detectives at 781-897-6600.

Zanco, a senior, was a wrestling captain and lacrosse player, and made friends easily, those who knew him said.

"You met him and 30 seconds later you were friends with him. He really lit up a room," said his mentor, Andy Merritt.

Visiting hours will be held Thursday, March 27 at the Brasco & Sons Memorial Chapel in Waltham from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The funeral will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Waltham on Friday, March 28 at 10:30 a.m.