Press Releases

DA Cruz Requests Massachusetts State Police CAT Team to Aid in Patrolling Brockton



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Contact: Beth Stone- (508) 584-8120

Response requested after fatal weekend double shooting, shots fired incidents reported

BROCKTON – As State Police Detectives assigned to the District Attorney’s Office and Brockton Police continue their investigation into the fatal shooting of a man and wounding of a woman over the weekend, DA Cruz has obtained approval from the Massachusetts State Police for use of their Troop D Community Action Team and additional State Police uniform patrols in Brockton.

DA Cruz’s actions follow a weekend of violent incidents in Brockton, including two separate shootings that left a man dead and a woman injured, and two men shot outside a bar. Just after 9 pm Monday night, less than 24 hours after a homicide occurred, Brockton Police responded to 911 calls for another report of shots fired in a neighborhood.

“Since December, 2015, Brockton has seen an unprecedented drop in the amount of violent crime being committed within its borders,” DA Cruz said. “That we sustained this decrease for so long is not an accident. Rather, it is the direct result of coordination and partnership at every level of law enforcement, successful prosecutions of high impact defendants, and proactive criminal enforcement sweeps by police that target quality of life issues. But in addition to our everyday role as prosecutors, my office has made prevention of violent crime through community dialogue our highest priority. Since 2015, I have hosted monthly Safe Streets meetings that have prioritized relationship building with Brockton residents so that we can better address issues in the neighborhoods of Brockton before they grow into violent confrontations. One need look no further than the past 18 months’ crime statistics to see that this partnership with the community has been tremendously successful. Although some would say that an uptick in gun-related violence during the summer months is not a surprise, it is unacceptable to me. We must work to maintain a sense of safety and security for Brockton residents whatever the time of year, and that is why I have asked for additional State Police support. We have been here all along and will continue to be present in this city and the county.”

The Massachusetts State Police Community Action Team (CAT) is an elite unit that will work with State Police troopers assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and Brockton Police.

The investigation into the homicide of 26-year-old Stephen Cabral is continuing by State Police Detectives and Brockton Detectives. At approximately 12:02 am Monday, Brockton Police received notification from ShotSpotter Gunshot and Location Detector Service of shots fired in the area of Myrtle Street. Simultaneously, Brockton Police began receiving 911 calls reporting shots fired at the intersection of Myrtle and Blaine Streets. The shooting occurred
hours after a large, city-permitted block party was held at a residence located at 116 Myrtle Street.

On scene, Brockton Police learned that Cabral had been transported by a passerby in a private car to Brockton Hospital. Cabral was shot multiple and was pronounced dead of his injuries. Brockton emergency personnel transported a 20-year-old female shooting victim for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The homicide and the events that unfolded on Myrtle Street leading up to the double shooting are all a part of the active, ongoing criminal investigation. Anyone with any information is urged to contact the State Police at (508) 894-2600.

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July 11, 2017