Man Charged for Role in July 4th Fatal Shooting in Cambridge

CAMBRIDGE – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Cambridge Police Commissioner Pauline Wells have announced that Rayquon Brown, 29 of Canton, has been arrested and charged with murder, carrying a firearm without a license, being an armed career criminal, and conspiring to commit murder.  On July 4, 2026, at approximately 5:24 AM, the Cambridge Police Department received a call from pedestrians who, while out on a walk, found a man, later identified as Xavier Bautista, lying in a pool of  blood in the area of Norfolk Street and Broadway Street.  

The Cambridge Police Department, Cambridge Fire Department and ProEMS responded to treat the male victim who was located between a parked vehicle and the curb with an apparent gunshot wound.  ProEMS personnel pronounced him dead at the scene.

An autopsy, conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, later determined the cause of death to be two gunshot wounds.

The subsequent investigation, including witness interviews and a review of available video evidence, revealed that Xavier Bautista left his home around 4:00 a.m. wearing his navy-blue Cambridge Department of Public Works work attire when he was confronted by multiple men wearing masks who shot and killed him. The parties and the defendant then fled the scene in a white Dodge Ram pickup truck.

Investigators were subsequently able to identify the defendant and his vehicle as being present at the time of the shooting. During the shooting the defendant allegedly acted as a lookout and potential backup holding an object which appears consistent with a firearm, at one point holding it outstretched as if aiming it.

At this time there is no known connection between the defendant and the victim and the motive is still under investigation.

The Cambridge Police Department recognizes that this incident is very troubling and has raised concerns about community safety, particularly from those in The Port neighborhood. In response, the CPD has increased patrols in and around the area in an effort to provide reassurance.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Cambridge Police Department at (617) 349-3300.

Anonymous tips can be shared with the Cambridge Police Department through phone, text or e-mail. Instructions for doing so are available on the CPD website. Click Here to Submit an Anonymous Tip

Rayquon Brown was arraigned today at Cambridge District Court and ordered held without bail. The next date in this case is Friday, July 17, 2026.