On February 3, 2018, a tragic incident occurred on Trull Street in Boston, Massachusetts, resulting in the death of 20-year-old John Colon. According to the Boston Police Department investigation, the events leading up to the murder were meticulously planned and executed.
The shooting took place in front of John Colon's house, where he was fatally shot, and another man was injured.
Witnesses reported that prior to the murder, a vehicle, later identified as a Chrysler Pacifica, was seen driving slowly past the area. This vehicle was observed by both the victim and other witnesses, who noted that it drove past the location multiple times, consistent with the perpetrators conducting reconnaissance for the shooting.
Witnesses provided crucial information that helped identify the suspects. They stated that the victim, John Colon, recognized one of the individuals in the vehicle and identified him as 'G Fredo,' which is the street name for defendant Michael Brandao. The victim also mentioned that the people in the vehicle had a conflict, referred to as 'smoke,' with him. This vehicle was seen driving slowly to the area a second time before the shooting occurred.
The BPD investigation revealed that the two shooters approached from the area of an adjacent alley before they started firing. John Colon was shot multiple times, and the second man present was also injured in the attack. The detailed witness accounts and the identification of the vehicle and its occupants were key in linking the crime to the suspects.
The suspects involved in John Colon's murder were part of a larger gang-related investigation. Michael Brandao, known by his street name 'G Fredo,' was one of the individuals implicated in the crime. Another suspect, Ricky Pina, was also linked to other gang-related murders in the area, including the murder of Albert Monteiro on Stoughton Street on September 5, 2017. Pina was on state court-ordered GPS monitoring at the time of Monteiro's murder, which provided evidence of his involvement in that case as well.
On June 16, 2020, federal authorities rounded up several alleged gang members, including those suspected in John Colon's murder, on charges related to federal murder, drugs, and gun offenses. This operation was part of a broader effort to address gang violence in the Boston area, particularly involving the NOB gang and other affiliated groups.
The arrests and subsequent charges were the result of extensive investigations by the BPD and federal authorities, which included analyzing ballistic evidence, surveillance footage, and witness testimonies. These efforts aimed to dismantle the gang's operations and bring justice to the victims and their families.
