TAUNTON — On Sunday, May 31, 2026, at approximately 11:06 p.m., Taunton police responded to the area of Adams Street following multiple reports of gunshots.
According to Taunton Police Chief Edward Walsh, when officers arrived on scene, they found a vehicle that had crashed into a fire hydrant and appeared to have been struck by gunfire. The hydrant was dislodged, causing significant flooding in the area.
Chief Walsh said officers quickly secured the scene and began an extensive investigation.
“Three individuals were transported to local hospitals,” Chief Walsh said. “A 16-year-old juvenile and a 19-year-old man suffered gunshot wounds that appeared to be non-life-threatening. A second 16-year-old juvenile suffered injuries related to the crash.”
During the investigation, police recovered two firearms believed to be connected to the incident. Multiple homes in the area were also struck by gunfire, but no residents were injured.
The second 16-year-old juvenile had an active arrest warrant related to a Jan. 16, 2025, shooting in Taunton. The juvenile was transported for medical treatment before he was held on the warrant.
Chief Walsh said the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Bristol County Sheriff Paul Heroux said that this incident is surely to be used by opponents of legislation proposing raising the age of adult incarceration.
Massachusetts is actively considering legislation (such as S.1061/H.1923) to gradually raise the upper age of juvenile jurisdiction from 17 to include 18, 19, and 20-year-olds. This reform aims to divert emerging adults from adult correctional facilities and into the rehabilitative juvenile justice system.
“Supporters of raising the age of incarceration point out that brain development doesn’t really finalize until someone is about 25 years old,” Heroux said. “Meanwhile, critics of raising the age point out that the crimes committed by some juveniles are no less serious than adults and should be treated as adult crimes.”
