Taunton Man Sentenced for Firing Illegal Gun in Feud

FALL RIVER — A 28-year-old Taunton man who fired several shots from an illegally owned handgun at a rival's vehicle in 2019 will serve five years in state prison.

Patrick Rivera was sentenced last week in Fall River Superior Court after pleading guilty to three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of carrying an illegal firearm, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn.

Rivera was seen in Taunton just before 10 p.m. on May 24, 2019 following the victim, with whom he had an ongoing feud over the mother of the victim's child.

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The victim told police about the feud and that he believed Rivera to carry a gun.

After being followed for a while, the victim pulled into a GATRA bus station parking lot, ultimately backing into Rivera's vehicle when Rivera followed him into the lot.

Rivera then fired several shots at the victim’s vehicle before fleeing on foot.

Police found him a short time later on Maple Street.

After his release from prison, Rivera will also be placed on probation for an additional two years.