2 Charged In 'Execution' Shooting At Brockton Sushi Joint: Reports

BROCKTON, MA — Two men pleaded not guilty to murder in the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old Brockton man at a sushi restaurant last week, according to multiple reports.

Nathan Veiga, 22, is accused of walking into the Hibachi Sushi Supreme on Crescent Street to confirm that the victim, Joe Araujo, was inside before 18-year-old Jamal Augereau Bazile entered to carry out the shooting, The Enterprise reported, citing prosecutors.

Brazile picked up a "to-go" container before dropping it near Araujo's table, pulling out a gun, and firing three shots, prosecutors said, according to the outlet.

Araujo, who was eating dinner with his girlfriend, was struck in the abdomen and stomach and later died at the hospital, the outlet reported. He was the father of two young children, according to WHDH.

Veiga and Bazile were not arrested until Monday, three days after the shooting, WHDH reported.

Prosecutors said that Bazile and Veiga belonged to a local group and that Araujo was in an opposing group, according to The Enterprise. The shooting was "payback" for a February 2022 killing, prosecutors said.

"[Brazile] conducted a brazen indoor execution in front of small children," Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Sprague said during an arraignment for the pair Tuesday, according to The Enterprise.

After the arraignment, Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz told reporters that video of the attack showed an "intentional, deliberate, premeditated act," WHDH reported.

Bazile is charged with murder, possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, and discharge of a firearm, while Veiga is charged with murder and accessory to murder before the fact, the outlet reported.

Bazile and Veiga will next appear in court Feb. 13 for a probable cause hearing, according to The Enterprise.