RAYNHAM — On Sunday, July 5, 2026, at approximately 1:33 a.m., Raynham police received a 911 call reporting a disturbance and fight at a home on Britton Circle, where officers had responded about 30 minutes earlier for two noise complaints resulting from a Fourth of July party that was taking place at the residence.
According to the Raynham Police Department, while officers were responding to the scene, dispatch was advised that shots had been fired.
The preliminary investigation found that an uninvited guest who was unknown to the homeowner, had allegedly retrieved a firearm from his vehicle, fired one round into the air, and then fled the area.
No one was injured.
During the investigation, police recovered a loaded 9mm semiautomatic handgun that the Raynham Police Department said the suspect allegedly threw into the wrong vehicle while fleeing. The firearm was legally registered to the suspect, who police said has a valid license to carry.
Raynham police, including K-9 Unit Sergeant Frank Pacheco and K-9 Bleky, searched the area with assistance from the Taunton Police Department, the Taunton Police Drone Unit, and the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing. The search lasted approximately two hours, but police were unable to initially locate the suspect.
According to the Raynham Police Department, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Taunton police received a call from a resident in the area of Field Street and Woodview Drive reporting that a man was knocking on their door and asking for help. Responding Taunton officers identified the man as the suspect Raynham police were seeking.
The suspect, identified only as a 26-year-old Mattapan man, will be summonsed to court on charges of:
- Discharging a Firearm Within 500 Feet of a Building
- Improper Storage of a Firearm (two counts)
The Raynham Police Department said the suspect’s name cannot be released at this time because he is being summonsed and the court has not yet issued a criminal complaint.
The incident remains under investigation by Raynham police patrol officers and detectives. Additional charges may be filed at the conclusion of the investigation, the Raynham Police Department said.
“Thankfully, no one was injured despite a firearm being discharged during a large gathering,” Chief David LaPlante said. “I would like to thank our officers, detectives, and law enforcement partners for their coordinated response and assistance in locating the suspect.”
