Two Assisted Living Facility Employees Charged in Christmas Eve Gunfire Incident in Yarmouth Port

‘Tis the season… YARMOUTH PORT, MASSACHUSETTS — Two employees of a local assisted living facility face multiple serious firearms charges after Yarmouth police investigated reports of numerous gunshots on Christmas Eve, leading to the discovery of illegal weapons and ammunition at their shared residence. The incident began around 10:27 p.m. on December 24, 2025, when Yarmouth Police patrol officers responded to initial reports of four gunshots in the area of Shaker House Road. While investigating, officers received additional reports of shots fired approximately a quarter-mile north near Mattis Drive. They patrolled surrounding streets, including those near Center Street, but initially heard nothing unusual. About 20 minutes later, more reports came in of gunfire near Center Street. Officers searched areas around Ancient Way and Mariners Lane without success. While parked along Center Street and listening for activity, they received a fourth call about gunshots and then heard 10 to 15 shots themselves. Officers, armed with patrol rifles, approached 154 Center Street — the only house in the vicinity with lights on and loud music playing. Sergeant Richard Fichter Jr., who had also heard the shots, reported hearing a commotion on the left rear side of the house. Upon turning the corner, he observed a white male, later identified as Bradley Santos, 23, bent over and “manipulating something” near the porch. Sergeant Fichter’s report continues as follows: “I aimed my rifle at the male, later identified as Bradley Santos and ordered him to show me his hands. I gave him several orders to show me his hands and walk towards me and at one point he put his hand into his left [front] pocket. I continued to order him to show me his hands and walk towards me.” Santos reportedly complied slowly, appearing unsteady on his feet with slurred speech, leading officers to conclude he was intoxicated. Officers later found spent and live 9mm and .40mm rounds in his pockets. Fresh shell casings were discovered near the back porch. Santos denied firing any weapon or knowing of anyone who had. Learning that Santos had a roommate inside, and uncertain of the situation, Sergeant Fichter determined there was an exigent need to enter the residence for safety. After knocking loudly and announcing their presence with no response, officers entered through an open inner door behind a closed screen door. Inside, Fichter encountered a male, later identified as Kenneth Patterson, 52 (also known as Jerome Patterson), sitting on a couch in the living room. Sergeant Fichter’s report continues as follows: “I pointed my patrol rifle in his direction and ordered him to show me his hands and [walk] towards me. At first he fell off the couch. [It] took him time to lift himself up and he had some difficulty getting off the couch. He proceeded forward and I passed him off to Officer Warren and Voltolini as I kept my attention on the remainder of the house. Patterson appeared to have difficulty with balance and directions. I could smell the odor of intoxicating liquor from his person as he passed by me and the more time I spent with him, I was able to form the opinion that he was intoxicated.” Officers cleared the remaining rooms and observed two black semi-automatic handguns in plain view. After being read his Miranda rights, Patterson initially declined to speak but then stated that Santos had been firing a gun into the air, though he denied doing so himself. He confirmed they worked together at Thirwood Place, an assisted living facility in Yarmouth, and that Santos had lived with him for about four months. Patterson refused to say who owned the guns, only noting that he “lived here.” Neither man possessed a license to carry or own firearms. They were arrested on site. Officers secured the scene and obtained a search warrant. A subsequent search revealed a third pistol with magazines, an assault rifle with a collapsible stock in a living room closet, an apparent firearms milling device, and a bag containing multiple large-capacity rifle magazines loaded with 5.56 rounds. One pistol lacked a serial number. A member of the sheriff’s crime scene unit collected evidence to be photographed and inspected for fingerprints. Santos and Patterson, both residents of Yarmouth Port, were each charged with discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, possession of a firearm without an FID card, possession of ammunition without an FID card, making a firearm without a serial number, possession of a large-capacity feeding device, and unlicensed possession of an assault weapon. At their arraignment in Barnstable District Court on December 26, 2025, not guilty pleas were entered for both defendants. According to court records, bail was set at $5,000, with the Commonwealth submitting a motion to hold Patterson on dangerousness grounds. The status of both defendants remains unknown as of this report. HN Reminder: The initial details contained in the above report are based on statements from sources, along with documents filed in Barnstable District Court. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.         ABOVE: HN PHOTOS – A man was arrested for operating under the influence after crashing his Dodge sedan into a utility pole on Grouse Lane early this morning in Yarmouth. Officers needed to utilize language translation services during their investigation. There were no reports of injuries.  No further details were available at the time of this report. HN Reminder: The initial details contained in the above report are based on police radio transmissions and information on scene. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. *** WATCH *** Eastham Police pursuit ends in Dennis Rest Area… As you will see and hear in the following HN Video, Eastham Police were involved in a pursuit which ended in a Route 6 rest area in Dennis. The state police assisted Eastham during the pursuit, according to radio transmission.  The driver was taken into custody and a BMW was towed from the scene.  The incident was still under active investigation at the time of this report… HN will provide additional details as they officially become available. HN Reminder: The initial details contained in the above report are based on police radio transmissions and information on scene. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. [HN VIDEO  –  PRESS PLAY!]   P.S. – Today’s Hytown Vignette is brought to you by Bert Kaempfert… [CLICK IT/CRANK IT! HEADPHONES ABSOLUTELY OBLIGATORY!]