Surveillance video captures violence in Brockton that left 2 people dead, Brockton officer shot

BROCKTON, Mass. — Thursday night, a wave violence that left two people dead, and a Brockton Police Officer shot, rocked the city of Brockton.

And now surveillance video obtained by Boston 25 News reveals exactly how the violence unfolded.

The surveillance video was recorded across the street from the scene on Taber Avenue.

The video begins at 5:45 p.m. when a silver SUV, driven by murder victim Christopher Gomes, arrives on Taber Avenue. The SUV backs into a driveway at Number 62.

In only a few moments, a man believed to be 32-year-old Kevin Serpa walks out of 62 Taber Ave, and fires a gun into the SUV.

The SUV lunges forward and drifts across Taber Avenue, coming to a stop on the other side of the street.

The video then shows a figure, believed to be Serpa, walk towards the SUV, fire a shot into the driver’s side window, and then calmly walk back into 62 Taber Ave.

The next scene shows Brockton Police arriving on scene.

At first, they are recorded looking into the car where Gomes’ body is located.

Suddenly, the officers react to shots fired at them from 62 Taber Ave.

The District Attorney’s office said in a statement Serpa opened fired on the police officers from a second floor window.

Soon, backup arrive and a stand off with Serpa begins, and that lasted for hours.

Brockton Police Officer Robert Otis was shot several times, and suffered gunshot wounds to his hand and a leg. He was treated at Boston Medical Center and released to his family on Thursday.

“He’s a young recruit, he’s not out of break-in yet, and he did an amazing job last night,” Brockton Police Chief Emanuel Gomes said of Otis on Friday afternoon. “His actions saved his own life and possibly the lives of others. And I’m very happy that he’s home and that he’s healing.”

Chief Gomes added that Officer Otis had recently graduated from the Boston Police Academy.

“It’s emotional because I have a young son on Boston PD, and I see him in all these kids, and it was almost a tragic event. You almost feel like you’re responsible for them, and I’m so happy that [Officer Otis is] safe,” Chief Gomes said.

“I can tell you about the character of this young man; this is definitely a calling for him, and he showed it.”

The Plymouth County DA’s office said in a statement that at 9:30 p.m. that Kevin Serpa emerged from his house a final time, and shot and killed himself.

Police have not yet released a motive for the incident.

Boston 25 News spoke to a man who grew up with Serpa. He says negotiators were getting help from the man’s father and cousin, and he was standing by, ready to negotiate as well.

“I wish it didn’t have to end this way. He had his whole life ahead of him. He’s only 30, 31,” said Shaun Banion, a friend of Serpa. “I understand his little mishaps with drugs and everything he was trying to get himself clean on and off with it, but he was an awesome friend. I’m going to miss him a lot.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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