The Massachusetts State Police have added their suspect in a Christmas Eve 2023 murder at a Lawrence nightclub to the agency’s Most Wanted list.

State Police and Lawrence Police are searching for Franklin Laras, 27, who they believe was the shooter in the murder of 29-year-old Edward Javier-Perez at the Energy Lounge nightclub in Lawrence.

Lawrence Police responded to the Energy Lounge at 459 Broadway at around 12:20 a.m. on Dec. 24, 2023, and found Javier-Perez “suffering from an apparent gunshot wound,” the department wrote the day of the shooting. He was treated on scene and rushed to Lawrence General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police wrote in a statement that evidence suggests that Laras got into some sort of “altercation” with Javier-Perez shortly after entering the club, drew his pistol and shot him at close range before fleeing the scene. Police say that the gun was not recovered.

The MSP said that Laras “is actively attempting to evade capture and should be considered armed and dangerous” and should not be approached by the public.

Laras is 5-foot-7, roughly 200 pounds and has brown eyes and hair. A photograph circulated on his wanted poster shows him with a beard. The police say he is heavily tattooed, with both arms covered. His photograph shows that he has significant tattoos on his chest, with the number “495” on an interstate sign-style design prominent below his left shoulder and the number 1838 below his neck.

Police say that Laras has ties to Lawrence, Springfield and Palmer.

The MSP asks that anyone with any information about Laras’ whereabouts call the agency’s Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section at 1-800-KAPTURE (527-8873) or to call 911.

The Massachusetts State Police wanted poster for Franklin Laras, 27. (Courtesy / MSP)