A 26-year-old Massachusetts son accused of ordering a ghost gun off of the internet and shooting his dad at their home on Monday over almost nothing is now charged with murder.
Robert Gomes III of Wareham shot Robert Gomes, Jr., 61, outside the Main Street residence just moments after he asked the victim to open a shed so he could take a photo of a power washer inside, prosecutors in Plymouth County allege.
According to the defendant’s alleged explanation behind the shooting, which prosecutors detailed inside the courtroom, the suspect claimed
his father got angry about the power washer ask and told the son “I’m going to kill you.” After that, Gomes III allegedly went through a backpack, grabbed a ghost gun he had ordered online, and fatally shot his father.
Robert Gomes III and an aerial view of the home where he allegedly shot his father Robert Gomes Jr. (WCVB/screengrabs)
Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz told local ABC affiliate WCVB outside the courthouse that the shooting seemingly was committed “not over much.”
The DA also called the shooting a “senseless brazen act” and “tragedy” that never had to happen.
Cruz’s office said the shooting took place Monday before 3:35 p.m., which was around the time that Gomes III called 911 to report the shooting. The suspect had also called his sister and an aunt, local CBS affiliate WBZ reported.
“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 DA’s office said. “The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Cruz’s office also said that authorities found “several shell casings” and a “black duffel bag” containing a “ghost gun with an obliterated serial number” at the scene.
Thereafter, Gomes III was arrested and hit with several charges, including murder, firearm-armed assault to murder a person 60 years old or older, assault and battery with a firearm, and possession of a firearm without an FID card.
The defendant also faces charges for carrying a loaded gun without a license and firing the gun within 500 feet of a building.
Not guilty pleas were entered on Gomes III’s behalf on Tuesday at his arraignment, and the defendant is expected back in court on Dec. 27, two days after Christmas.
In the meanwhile, Gomes III was held without bail.
Warning signs were there nearly a year ago when authorities responded to domestic call last December, NBC Boston reported. The suspect’s father had told cops his son was “tearing up” the home in a “belligerent” rage.
The report said a neighbor claimed his life was threatened that day.
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