On the afternoon of January 31, 2023, a tragedy unfolded at a Dollar Tree store in Brockton, Massachusetts, that cut short the life of Dongbin Pyon, a 38-year-old Asian man from East Boston. The store, located at 999 North Montello Street, became a scene of violence when a former employee, identified as Luis Soto, allegedly entered and opened fire.
Pyon and another male employee were struck by the gunfire in what authorities believe was not a random act of violence.
Emergency services were dispatched to the scene shortly after 1:27 p.m. following 911 calls reporting gunshots inside the store. Both victims were rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital for treatment of their gunshot wounds. Tragically, Dongbin Pyon succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. His wife, Donna Mansora, later described him as a "perfect husband" who had found joy and purpose in his work.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the suspect, Luis Soto, fled the scene, prompting a widespread manhunt. Investigators from the Brockton Police and Massachusetts State Police quickly identified Soto, who was 32 years old at the time, as the alleged shooter. While his car was later found abandoned in Newton, Soto himself has remained at large. An arrest warrant was issued for him on charges including murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and unlawful carrying of a firearm.
Authorities have urged the public to consider Soto armed and dangerous and have sought assistance in locating him. In an effort to bring him to justice, the United States Marshals Service has offered a $5,000 reward for information that leads to his arrest. The investigation into the deadly shooting remains ongoing as law enforcement continues their search for the suspect.
