In the late hours of a summer night in Boston, tragedy struck on Dudley Terrace in the Dorchester neighborhood. On August 20, 2016, a 35-year-old Black / African American man named Ailton Goncalves was socializing with a group of friends. The atmosphere was calm as they enjoyed each other's company. Shortly after midnight, the peaceful gathering was shattered by the sound of gunfire.
Ailton Goncalves was fatally shot and pronounced dead at the scene.
A woman who was with him was also struck by the gunfire and was rushed to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. The sudden violence left the community in shock and mourning the loss of a man described as a beloved son, fiancé, and brother.
In the wake of the shooting, the Boston Police Department launched an investigation to bring those responsible to justice. Their efforts led to a breakthrough a week later when they arrested 22-year-old Aaron Almeida of Hyde Park. He was taken into custody in the area of Morrissey Boulevard and Neponset Avenue and was set to be arraigned on charges of murder and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The investigation continued, and in July 2017, a second suspect was apprehended. Greg Wright, 21, was located and arrested in Columbus, Ohio, by Boston detectives, U.S. Marshals, and the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team. Wright was also wanted in connection with the murder of Ailton Goncalves. Both men were charged in connection with the fatal shooting that cut a life short and left another individual grievously wounded.
