On a tragic day in Brockton, Massachusetts, John Abreu Junior DePina, a 26-year-old Black / African American man, lost his life. On November 2, 2022, police responded to reports of gunfire on West Park Street. Upon arrival, they discovered DePina suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite immediate medical attention, he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the shooting quickly identified a suspect: 24-year-old David Lynch.
According to authorities, the fatal encounter began when DePina approached a vehicle occupied by Lynch. A dispute erupted between the two men, which escalated to the point where Lynch shot DePina and then fled the scene. In the wake of the incident, Lynch became a fugitive with known ties to the communities of Abington, Canton, and Weymouth.
In March 2023, the Massachusetts State Police elevated the search for Lynch by adding him to their "Most Wanted" list. He was considered armed and dangerous and was also wanted on five other warrants for various firearms and narcotics charges. The manhunt for Lynch concluded on June 15, 2023, after a dramatic multi-town chase. State Police troopers approached Lynch in a Holiday Inn parking lot in Middleborough, at which point he rammed two police cruisers with his vehicle and sped off. The pursuit ended in Raynham when Lynch crashed into another car. He and a male passenger in his vehicle were apprehended after a foot chase. A firearm was recovered from Lynch's vehicle.
