On March 31, 1998, Alexander Colon, a 20-year-old resident of Brockton, Massachusetts, succumbed to gunshot wounds he sustained in a violent incident. The events leading to his death were complex and involved multiple individuals.
The incident began around 5:45 p.m. on November 19, 1996, although the actual shooting of Colon occurred on March 31, 1998. However, the context provided in the earlier date is crucial for understanding the motives and the individuals involved.
On that November day, Desmond Campbell observed a green automobile, similar to a Dodge Stratus, drive by his house at 46 Winthrop Street in Brockton. Campbell noticed a black male in the passenger seat staring at him, and shortly after, the same automobile passed by again. A few minutes later, Campbell saw a black male, approximately six feet tall and wearing a black coat, dark hoodie, blue jeans, and black boots, climb down a wall at a nearby house and get into a white van. This sighting was followed by multiple gunshots, although no one was injured during this particular incident.
The actual shooting of Alexander Colon occurred on March 31, 1998. Colon sustained a gunshot wound to his upper left mid-back, which fractured his left rib and lacerated two major blood vessels to his left lung. Despite extensive surgical intervention, Colon died the following day on April 1, 1998.
The primary suspect in Colon's murder was Donald Averett. Averett was indicted for the shooting murder of Alexander Colon on March 31, 1998. Additionally, Averett was a suspect in another drive-by shooting that had occurred earlier.
The investigation and subsequent events involved another key figure, Manuel Santos, who was associated with Herby Caillot. On the day of the shooting, Santos was driving a green Chrysler Cirrus when someone attempted to carjack him. Santos reported that someone had started shooting at his vehicle, and he had brought his friend, who was later identified as Caillot, to the emergency room. During his interaction with the police, Santos mentioned that the person who shot at his vehicle was the same individual who had killed Steven Auguste, Caillot's first cousin, three months earlier. Santos repeatedly mentioned the phrase 'six feet under or life' and inquired about the status of the other party involved in the shooting.
Herby Caillot, who was shot in the hand during the incident, was also a significant figure in the investigation. Caillot initially claimed he could not recall what had happened but later provided more details. He stated that he was lying in the back seat of the automobile when he put his hand in the air and got shot. Caillot had no idea where the shooting occurred.
The police investigation led to the arrest of several individuals. Manuel Santos was taken into custody after being given Miranda warnings. During his transportation to the Brockton police department, Santos provided additional information to Detective Arthur McLaren, implicating himself and others in the events surrounding the shooting.
In summary, Alexander Colon's death was linked to a broader context of violence and retaliation involving multiple individuals. Donald Averett was the primary suspect indicted for Colon's murder, while Manuel Santos and Herby Caillot were also central figures in the investigation, with Santos providing crucial information about the events and motives behind the shooting. The case highlights the complex and often interconnected nature of violent crimes in urban settings.
