Suspicious Homicide in Taunton

Taunton Police, State Police detectives assigned to this office and homicide unit prosecutors are currently investigating a homicide, which occurred in the City of Taunton late Monday night.

Police received a call Monday night around 11:40 p.m. regarding a man being struck by a CSX transportation train in the area behind 37 Cushman Street. The victim, later identified as Edwin Rivera Jr., 24, of Taunton, was transported Tuesday to Boston for an Autopsy at the State Medical Examiner’s Office.

The autopsy has concluded that Mr. Rivera died as a result of gunshot wounds.

Although the case did not officially become a homicide until yesterday, investigators have been actively probing the death since first arriving at the scene of the train incident.

As a result of this ongoing investigation, police have arrested an individual connected to the homicide. Flavio Daveiga, 21, of 15 Newcombe Place, was arrested today, and within the past hour has been charged with accessory to murder before the fact and the obstruction of justice portion of the witness intimidation statute.

Mr. Daveiga was arraigned in Taunton District Court moments ago and ordered held on $2 million cash bail. He also had his bail revoked on four open cases, meaning even if he does post the $2 million cash bail, he would still be held without bail for up to 60 days. The defendant is due back in court for appointment of counsel on December 3rd.

Because the investigation remains active and ongoing, our office will be unable to comment further on specifics of the case at this time. If more arrests are made or more charges are lodged, this office will send out a follow up press release.

The investigation is being coordinated by Co-First Assistant District Attorney William McCauley and Assistant District Attorney Stephen Nadeau, who will be handling this afternoon’s arraignment.