Wareham man accused of using YouTube to build ghost gun that he used to kill father

BROCKTON – A Wareham man has been indicted on charges that he shot his father to death, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz has announced. 

Friday, a Plymouth County grand jury indicted 26-year-old Robert Gomes III, on one count each of Murder, Firearm-Armed Assault to Murder a Person 60 or Over, Assault and Battery with a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm Without an FID Card, Discharging a Firearm Within 500 Feet of a Building, and Carrying a Loaded Firearm Without a License. 

On November 27, 2023, at just after 3:30 p.m., Wareham Police received several 911 calls, including one from the defendant, reporting that a shooting had occurred at 1146 Main Street. Upon arrival, Wareham Police and emergency medical personnel located a man outside on the rear porch steps of the address suffering from apparent gunshot wounds to the chest. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. He was identified as 61-year-old, Robert Gomes Jr. 

Wareham Police contacted Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and began the investigation. At the scene, investigators recovered several shell casings and located a black duffel bag which contained a ghost gun with an obliterated serial number. As a result, troopers assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office sought and obtained an arrest warrant for Gomes III and he was taken into custody. As part of the investigation, detectives learned that Gomes III purchased the gun online, and constructed it himself following YouTube instructional videos. 

Gomes III, who is currently held without bail, will be arraigned in Brockton Superior Court at a later date. 

Assistant District Attorneys Alexander Zane and Jessica Croker are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, and Wareham Police.