86-year-old charged in Taunton after homicide

Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney’s office, Homicide Unit prosecutors and Taunton Police are investigating a homicide, which occurred last night in Taunton.

According to Gregg Miliote of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, on Sunday evening at approximately 8:55 p.m., Taunton Police were dispatched to 881 Bay Street for a report of a shooting outside that address. Upon arrival, first responders located a female victim, later identified as 71-year-old Dianne Silveira, in the driveway.

Silveira was rushed to Morton Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased at 9:23 p.m.

After the shooting, the alleged suspect, 86-year-old Edmund Silveira, fled back inside the residence the couple had shared. As a result, a local regional SWAT Team was contacted to establish a secure perimeter while awaiting the arrival of crisis negotiators. Eventually entry was made into the home via a tactical robot, at which point it was determined that the suspect was unconscious.

The suspect was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital for several wounds to his wrist and neck, which appeared to be self-inflicted knife wounds.

The defendant is charged at this time with assault and battery by means of a firearm while the investigation continues.

The defendant will be unable to be arraigned until he is medically cleared. He remains hospitalized at this time.