Contact: Beth Stone 508-584-8120
BROCKTON – Massachusetts State Police and Brockton Police are continuing their investigation into a several hours-long standoff where a Brockton police officer was shot, another man was murdered and the suspect then shot himself to death, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.
At approximately 5:45 pm last night, Brockton Police received several 911 calls reporting a male with a firearm and shots fired in the vicinity of 62 Taber Avenue in Brockton. Brockton Police officers responded and located a victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds in a silver SUV in the vicinity of 62 Taber Avenue. Responding Brockton Police officers came under gunfire from the second floor window of 62 Taber and one officer was struck, several times. The officer was transported to Boston Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening wounds. He has since been released from the hospital and is not being identified.
The male gunman, who has been identified as Kevin Serpa, 32, retreated into 62 Taber Avenue, where Serpa resides, and remained holed up for several hours. Brockton Police contacted Massachusetts State Police, including the Massachusetts State Police STOP Team, and MSP Crisis Negotiators, and an investigation ensued. A perimeter was set up in the densely populated neighborhood. State Police and Brockton Police were in constant contact and negotiated with the barricaded Serpa throughout the night. At approximately 9:30 p.m., Serpa exited the house and shot himself outside. He was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:02 p.m.
Additionally, police located a male gunshot victim deceased inside a silver SUV in the vicinity of 62 Taber Avenue. That man has been identified as 28 year-old Christopher Gomes of Brockton.
Massachusetts State Police and Brockton Police continue to interview witnesses and review video surveillance. This does not appear to be an act of random violence.