Woman Charged After 8 Shot at House Party

Eight People Were Shot at a House Party

A 25-year-old Massachusetts woman has been charged with murder after gunfire at a Taunton house party left one person dead and seven others wounded. Sienna Barboza of New Bedford was arrested Wednesday as investigators continued working to identify everyone involved in the Sept. 6 shooting.

Authorities say eight people, all in their 20s, were shot shortly after midnight outside a home on Weir Street. Zirovick Depina, 22, of Brockton later died. The other seven victims were hospitalized.

Prosecutors Say the Gathering Was Large

Police were called around 12:35 a.m. after multiple 911 reports of gunfire and injured people. Local reporting says a birthday gathering with roughly 50 to 60 people had been taking place at the property.

Responding officers found a chaotic scene with several wounded people. One survivor was initially described as being in serious but stable condition, while the others had injuries authorities said were not considered life-threatening.

Barboza Faces Murder and Assault Charges

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office charged Barboza with murder and multiple counts of armed assault with intent to murder. At her arraignment on Sept. 10, she pleaded not guilty and was ordered held without bail, according to local court reporting.

Prosecutors allege Barboza had a role in bringing gunmen to the party. That claim has not been proven in court, and investigators have not publicly resolved the full sequence of events or identified every person who may have participated.

Police Are Still Looking at Who Was Involved

The shooting remains under investigation by Taunton police and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney’s office. Authorities have not publicly described a motive in the reporting reviewed for this article.

The size of the gathering complicates the investigation because detectives must sort through witness accounts, movements around the property and evidence from a crowded scene. The charges against Barboza mark a major development, but they do not necessarily represent the end of the investigation.

Prosecutors Described an Alleged Role Beyond the Gunfire

At Barboza’s arraignment, prosecutors described her alleged role as more than simply being present at the party. Boston 25 reported that the state accused her of driving two gunmen to the gathering before the shooting. That allegation is central to why she faces a murder charge even though authorities have not publicly said she fired the shots herself.

The defense will have the opportunity to challenge that theory, including the evidence prosecutors say connects Barboza to the people who opened fire. The arraignment established the charges and detention status, but it did not resolve the contested facts.

Investigators Are Working Through a Large Witness Pool

A gathering of 50 to 60 people means detectives potentially have dozens of witnesses, phones, vehicles and movements to reconstruct. Police have not publicly identified all of the people they believe were involved, and the investigation remained open after Barboza’s arrest.

The large number of attendees may also explain why authorities have released information in stages. First came the emergency response and victim count. Then police confirmed Depina’s death. Days later, prosecutors announced Barboza’s arrest and the murder charge. Additional arrests or charges have not been confirmed in the reporting reviewed for this article.

The Seven Surviving Victims Face Their Own Recovery

Authorities said all eight people who were shot were young adults. One surviving victim was initially listed in serious but stable condition, while the injuries to the others were described as not life-threatening. Updated conditions were not immediately available in the reporting reviewed for this draft.

The criminal case therefore involves more than the death of Depina. Barboza also faces armed-assault allegations tied to the other people who were wounded. Each count will require prosecutors to establish her alleged role under Massachusetts law, and the court process will determine whether the evidence supports those charges.

One Party Ended With Eight Victims

For the people who attended the gathering, the night shifted from a social event to an emergency scene within minutes. Eight young adults were taken for medical treatment, and one family lost a 22-year-old man.

Barboza’s next court date is expected in October. Until then, prosecutors will continue building the case while defense attorneys have the opportunity to challenge the evidence and allegations.

The central fact that investigators are now trying to explain is simple and devastating: dozens of people gathered at a home for a party, gunfire broke out, and eight people were hit before the night was over.

References: CBS Boston - Woman Charged in Taunton Shooting | NBC Boston - Taunton Shooting Charges

The Truth In Facts team was assisted by generative AI technology in creating this content