BROCKTON, MASS. – The family of a 22-year-old man who was fatally shot in a Brockton restaurant is seeking answers as authorities continue their investigation. The shooting occurred at the Hibachi Sushi Supreme Buffet on Friday night, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office.
The victim, Joe Araujo, was remembered by his sisters, Andrea Monteiro and Vera Lopes, who described him as a loving and lovable individual. They are urging anyone with information about his death to come forward.
Surveillance video released as part of the investigation shows a hooded individual approaching the booth where Araujo and his girlfriend were sitting and opening fire, before fleeing the scene as diners rushed out of the restaurant. Araujo succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
The family is calling the situation their “worst nightmare,” with Monteiro expressing the pain of knowing that her brother is gone forever while the perpetrator is still at large. Authorities believe Araujo was targeted in the shooting and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
Araujo’s sisters fondly remember him as a football enthusiast and a dedicated father to two young boys. He had only just sat down for a date night with his girlfriend when the tragic incident occurred.
As the investigation into this senseless act of violence continues, Araujo’s family is pleading for anyone with information to step forward and help them find closure. Their heartbreaking plea highlights the devastating impacts of gun violence and the importance of community involvement in bringing perpetrators to justice.