By Maria Papadopoulos, Enterprise staff writer

BROCKTON — As authorities search for a 26-year-old man wanted for Tuesday night's murder of Adilson Pires, the Brockton police have formed a task force with the FBI to address gang problems in southeastern Massachusetts.

Shane Bester of Brockton is wanted for the murder of Pires, 24, who was shot to death on Main Street Tuesday night after a wake for an earlier homicide victim, according to Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz.

Bester's last known address is 74 Park St. Police described him as a black male, 6-foot 3-inches tall, weighing 245 pounds.

Authorities on Wednesday obtained a warrant charging Bester with the murder of Pires and have been searching for him, Cruz said. Anyone with information on Bester's whereabouts should contact Detective James Smith at 508-941-0234 or state Trooper Joseph Collette at 508-923-4205.

Meanwhile, Brockton police finalized an agreement today to become part of the Southeastern Massachusetts Gang Task Force, a regional task force with state and federal agents to concentrate on gang issues and players who are known to move from one city to the next, according to Brockton Police Chief William Conlon.

The FBI will be involved and Brockton will be working with cities including Taunton, New Bedford and Boston, Conlon said.

“I have been told that Washington has approved that today,” Conlon said, referring to the task force.

There have been two homicides and two non-fatal shootings so far this year in Brockton.

As mourners left a wake Tuesday night for 19-year-old Markeen Starks, killed on New Year's Day, at the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church on Main Street, Pires of Brockton was shot to death half a block away.

About a half hour later, two other men were shot — one remains in critical condition — on Falmouth Avenue.

Authorities have said they do not believe the shooting of Pires was tied to the slaying of Starks.

A peace rally and press conference was held this evening at Brockton police headquarters to address the escalating violence in the city.