On a cold December night in 2018, the life of 42-year-old Joao Alves, a Black male known to his loved ones as "Johnny," was tragically cut short. The father of five was in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston on December 21st, attending a birthday party for his 13-year-old cousin and visiting with friends. Shortly after midnight, in the area of 198 Blue Hill Ave. near Brookford Street, the festive atmosphere was shattered by gunfire.
Alves was shot and rushed to a local hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Alves was remembered as a devoted father with a "huge heart," a "laid back giant" who was always ready to help anyone in need. He was the son of Joao Baptista and the late Matilda Alves Centeio. He left behind five children, whose ages ranged from seven to 21, as well as two older sisters. Friends and family recalled his concerns about the violence in the city and his desire to raise his children in a safer environment. He had been actively working and saving money to move from Lawrence, Massachusetts, back to Boston to gain custody of his two youngest sons.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Boston Police opened a death investigation. They publicly identified Joao Alves as the victim on December 28, 2018. A GoFundMe page was established by his family to assist with burial expenses. His visitation was held on December 30, 2018, in Brockton.
Despite the public nature of his death and the initial police investigation, there have been no subsequent announcements regarding any arrests made in connection with the murder of Joao Alves. Information about any potential suspects or persons of interest has not been released to the public, and the case remains unsolved. His violent death left a void in the lives of his family and friends, a community that remembered him as a loving and gentle man who tragically fell victim to the very violence he hoped to escape.
