Fall River Man Sentenced for Shooting, Domestic Assault

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn, III announced today that a 32-year-old Fall River man has been sentenced to serve five to seven years in state prison, along with two years of probation after his release, for his role in a shooting incident and domestic assault.

Guillermo Santana pleaded guilty last week in Fall River Superior Court to a four count indictment charging him with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery, carrying a firearm, and possession of ammunition.

Assistant District Attorney Michael A. Cahillane and defense attorney Robert Eagan submitted an unagreed plea to Judge Rene Dupuis. Prosecutors argued for the defendant to serve eight to ten years in state prison while defense counsel argued for five to seven years in state prison with two years of probation after his release. Judge Dupuis ultimately agreed with the defendant’s recommendation.

On March 26, 2014, at 12:50 pm, the Fall River Police Department was dispatched to the female victim’s apartment where they met with the victim who was upset and crying. The victim reported that she had been involved in a verbal and physical altercation with her boyfriend, Guillermo Santana. When she tried to leave the apartment, Santana grabbed her by her jacket and tried to drag her back up the stairs. An officer observed an entry point of a projectile in the door of the apartment. The victim reported that an unknown male came to her door to ask if she was okay and displayed a gun in his waistband. Santana and the male victim began to argue in the hallway and she heard a gunshot. When she went out into the hallway, Santana and the male victim were both gone. The shooting victim was later located at St. Luke’s Hospital seeking treatment for his gunshot wound. He was uncooperative with investigators.

Santana was eventually located and arrested in New Jersey where he fled after the shooting.

“This is another case of senseless violence,” District Attorney Quinn said. “Fortunately the defendant was apprehended in New Jersey. Despite the victim’s lack of cooperation, we were able to obtain a conviction in this case. The defendant will be off the streets for up to seven years.”

--Bristol County District Attorney's Office