WORCESTER, Mass. — Worcester police have arrested José I. Hiciano, 23, in connection with an early-morning double shooting outside the Hurricane Betty’s strip club that left one man dead. Prosecutors told a judge Thursday, Oct. 15, that exterior surveillance video captured Hiciano striking the man who later died in the head with what appeared to be a gun before the fatal gunfire.
TL;DR: José I. Hiciano, 23, of Southbridge was arrested in connection with the Oct. 11 fatal double shooting outside Hurricane Betty’s in Worcester. He is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon — not with firing the shots — and is held on $100,000 bail. He is accused, not convicted.
Caught on Camera
Worcester police responded early Sunday, Oct. 11, after a gunshot detection system alert. Officers found a victim with multiple gunshot wounds and a head laceration outside the club; he died from his injuries. Two people were shot in all; the second survived and was hospitalized.
At Hiciano’s arraignment Thursday in Central District Court, Assistant District Attorney Lisa Casella laid out what the surveillance footage shows, according to the Telegram & Gazette. Hiciano can be seen hitting the man who died on the head with what appeared to be a gun prior to the fatal shooting. Shortly afterward, the parties moved away from the front entrance of the club, there was gunfire, and the victim came back into the video frame before falling to the ground in front of the club.
Court documents add a sharper detail: Hiciano could be seen striking a victim “repeatedly” on a “public sidewalk” with a black object similar in size and shape to a handgun.
How He Was Identified
Police wrote that multiple Worcester officers familiar with Hiciano identified him from the surveillance footage. A witness known to police also identified him with 70 percent certainty in a photo array.
Courtroom audio obtained by the Telegram & Gazette shows Hiciano was ordered held on $100,000 bail, the amount Casella requested. She argued the seriousness of the case justified it, noting Hiciano can clearly be seen on video striking the victim before the shooting.
The victim is listed in court paperwork as Steven Joseph.
The Charge — and What He Is Not Charged With
Casella did not accuse Hiciano of firing the shots. He is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon — not homicide. A grand jury investigation is ongoing, and prosecutors have not said who fired the fatal rounds.
Hiciano’s lawyer, Blake Rubin, argued for a lower bail, saying the man’s family could not afford $100,000 and that there is no evidence his client shot anyone. “I think there’s a question right now before the court … as to how this man was killed,” Rubin said, describing his client as a Southbridge High School graduate who works as a delivery driver.
Casella countered that Hiciano has what she called a “significant” pending case out of Rhode Island involving alleged firearm and drug offenses, though no Massachusetts record.
At the arraignment’s end, a woman shouted obscenities at Hiciano as she left the courtroom and was escorted out by court officers.
Hurricane Betty’s Has Been Here Before
It is not the first violence at the club. In March 2022, two people were shot outside Hurricane Betty’s in the morning hours and one died. The city’s License Commission ordered a temporary closure and a 10-day license suspension, and told the owners to upgrade their security plan.
Four years later, the script has repeated: a gunshot-detection alert, officers racing to the club, a body outside its doors. This time, police say, they have a suspect in custody — and video to support part of the case.
Hiciano is presumed innocent unless and until the charge against him is proven in court. Police have yet to release information on the arrest itself and did not immediately return a request for comment.
Photo: Worcester County Courthouse, Worcester, Massachusetts. Source image: U.S. National Park Service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Worcester strip club shooting?
José I. Hiciano, 23, of Southbridge, was arrested by Worcester police in connection with the Oct. 11 double shooting outside Hurricane Betty’s.
What is Hiciano charged with?
He is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Prosecutors did not accuse him of firing the shots.
When and where did the shooting happen?
Early Sunday morning, Oct. 11, outside Hurricane Betty’s strip club in Worcester. Police responded after an alert from the department’s gunshot detection system.
Who died in the shooting?
The victim who died is listed in court paperwork as Steven Joseph. A second person was shot and survived, and was hospitalized.
What does the surveillance video show?
Surveillance video shows Hiciano hitting the man who died on the head with what appeared to be a gun before the fatal shooting. Court documents say he struck the victim “repeatedly” with a black object similar in size and shape to a handgun.
How was Hiciano identified?
Officers familiar with Hiciano identified him from the surveillance footage, and a witness known to police identified him with 70 percent certainty in a photo array.
What bail was set?
A judge ordered Hiciano held on $100,000 bail, as requested by Assistant District Attorney Lisa Casella.
What did his lawyer say?
His lawyer, Blake Rubin, argued for lower bail, saying the family could not afford $100,000 and there is no evidence his client shot anyone. Hiciano is a Southbridge High School graduate who works as a delivery driver.
Does Hiciano have a criminal record?
Prosecutors said he does not appear to have a record in Massachusetts but has a “significant” pending case out of Rhode Island involving alleged firearm and drug offenses.
Has Hurricane Betty’s had shootings before?
Yes. In March 2022, two people were shot outside the club in the morning hours and one died. The city’s License Commission ordered the business temporarily closed and its license was suspended for 10 days.
