Contact: Beth Stone 508-584-8120
BROCKTON – Three men have been indicted on charges related to the brazen shooting of a man inside a Brockton restaurant, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.
Today, a Plymouth County grand jury indicted Jamal Bazile, 18, of Brockton, on one count each of Murder, Possession of a Firearm, Possession of Ammunition, Carrying a Loaded Firearm, and Discharge of a Firearm within 500 Feet of a Building. The grand jury also indicted Nathan Veiga, 23, on one count each of Murder, Possession of a Firearm, Possession of Ammunition, Carrying a Loaded Firearm, and Trafficking Fentanyl 100-200 grams. Nicholas Veiga, 21, was indicted on one count of Trafficking Fentanyl 100-200 grams. Bazile and Veiga are currently held without bail.
On January 12, 2024, at approximately 7:24 p.m., Brockton Police were dispatched to the Hibachi Sushi Supreme Buffet at 718 Crescent Street for reports of a shooting inside the restaurant. The male victim was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital with a gunshot wound to his abdomen and leg, and was pronounced dead of his injuries. He was identified as 22 year-old Joe Araujo, of Brockton.
Brockton Police contacted the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and an investigation commenced. Detectives worked throughout the weekend to develop information on the case. Police spoke with witnesses, and collected surveillance footage, including video of the shooting captured on restaurant cameras.
A man wearing a distinct jacket and sneakers, later identified as Bazile, was captured on restaurant video dropping a to-go box, pulling out a firearm, and shooting the victim three times, striking him twice.
As a result of the evidence collected, police developed probable cause and obtained an arrest warrant for both men.
Police executed a search warrant at Veiga’s home where they located the distinct jacket that Bazile had been wearing during the shooting. Veiga was taken into Brockton Police custody. Police also located a large amount of suspected fentanyl during the search warrant.
Bazile was located at a home in Hyannis and was taken into custody after becoming combative and assaulting police officers. He was found with a 9 mm Smith and Wesson firearm, loaded with four rounds of ammunition.
The pair are scheduled to be arraigned on the charges at a later date in Brockton Superior Court.
Assistant District Attorneys Kevin P. McCarthy and Julianne Campbell are handling the prosecution, which was investigated by Massachusetts State Police and Brockton Police.