Murder and Firearm Charges Lodged Against Father of New Bedford Homicide Victim
Bristol County District Attorney’s Office
Thomas M. Quinn III
District Attorney
Press Release
August 8, 2016
Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III and New Bedford Police Chief Joseph Cordeiro announced today that a criminal complaint officially charging 45-year-old Walter DaSilva with the July 3rd murder of his 19-year-old daughter, Sabrina DaSilva, in New Bedford, has been filed.
The criminal complaint, which was filed this afternoon in New Bedford District Court, officially charges Mr. DaSilva with murder, carrying an illegal firearm and unlawful possession of a loaded firearm.
Mr. DaSilva, formerly of Danbury, CT., was arrested last Friday around noon by US Marshall’s in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was arrested as a fugitive from justice on an outstanding probation warrant out of Middlesex County connected to an assault in the town of Weston in 2002.
The new charges allege that Mr. DaSilva shot Ms. DaSilva multiple times, resulting in her death.
The defendant appeared in court today in Bridgeport, Connecticut and waived extradition, meaning he will be returned to Bristol County for arraignment. It is unclear exactly when he will be transported back to Massachusetts and arraigned in New Bedford District Court. This office will send out a follow up media advisory once an arraignment date has been set.
“I am pleased to announce that an arrest warrant has been issued for Mr. DaSilva for the murder of his daughter. Although the defendant is currently in custody in Connecticut, we will attempt to have him brought back to Bristol County to face these charges as soon as possible,” said District Attorney Quinn. “This homicide case is particularly chilling because it involves a father being accused of killing his own daughter. We look forward to prosecuting this defendant in court for this very disturbing case. I want to thank the US Marshalls for apprehending the defendant, and would also like to thank all the investigators from my office, from New Bedfiord Police and from the Massachusetts State Police for their hard work on this investigation during the past five weeks. I will withhold further comment on the facts of the case until after the defendant is extradited back to Massachusetts and arraigned in open court.”
On July 3 at around 10:10 p.m., New Bedford Police received several 911 calls regarding a female shooting victim in the area of 9 Bedford Street.
When first responders arrived on scene, they found the victim, 19-year-old Sabrina DaSilva, laying in the parking lot of 9 Bedford Street suffering from gunshot wounds. The victim, who resided in an apartment at 9 Bedford Street, was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The ongoing investigation is being coordinated by Assistant District Attorneys Dennis Collins, Carolyn Morrissette and Robert Digiantomaso.
Prosecutors are prohibited from commenting on facts of the case until after the defendant is arraigned in open court in New Bedford. District Attorney Quinn and Chief Cordeiro will be available to the media after the arraignment occurs.
Contact:
Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
508-997-0711
774-292-9576—cell