In the typically quiet neighborhood of Highland Street in Taunton, Massachusetts, a grim discovery was made on the morning of May 4, 2024. Thirty-two-year-old Jhonny Lajoie, a Taunton resident born in Port Au Prince, Haiti, was found deceased inside a furnished shed. The male victim had been fatally shot.
Taunton police were dispatched to 155 Highland Street at approximately 9:45 a.m. following a report of a deceased person.
Upon their arrival, investigators quickly determined that Lajoie's death was a homicide. The area was cordoned off as detectives from the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office, along with Taunton Police and prosecutors from the Homicide Unit, commenced a thorough investigation that would span nearly 12 hours. Neighbors, startled by the significant police presence, noted that the shed where the victim was found had been a frequent gathering spot for a group of younger individuals.
For a time, no suspects were publicly identified, and the motive for the shooting remained unclear. However, authorities assured the public that they did not believe there was a broader danger to the community. The investigation progressed, and in July 2025, a significant development was announced. The Bristol County District Attorney's Office confirmed that an arrest had been made in connection with Lajoie's murder.
Manny Pina, a 26-year-old from Taunton, was taken into custody and charged with the murder of Jhonny Lajoie. In addition to the murder charge, Pina also faces a charge of unlawful carrying of a firearm. He was scheduled for arraignment in Taunton District Court.
