Man Shot By Middleboro Police Held On $300K Bail

WAREHAM (CBS) — A man shot by Middleboro police last week was ordered held on $300,000 bail Tuesday.

Thomas Buttimer, 52, hid his head in the hood of a white jumpsuit as he was arraigned while sitting in a wheelchair in Wareham District Court.

He was shot by police last Friday after refusing to drop a rifle at a shooting scene outside a home on Highland Street.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports

Officers were called to the home after 65-year-old Norma DesRoche had been shot in the chest.

While her husband and police tended to her, officers said Buttimer was in the driveway with a gun.

Police told him to drop it, but he didn't and was shot three times – twice in the chest and once in the leg.

DesRoche died.

Buttimer was taken to a hospital and later charged with assault with intent to murder a police officer.

He has not been charged in DesRoche's shooting at this point in the investigation.

He had been staying at her home after recently being released from jail, but investigators say DesRoche wanted him to leave.

According to police, a gun safe had been broken into and a bottle of rum was found nearby after the shooting.

Prosecutors say Buttimer has a history of alcohol abuse and a criminal history dating back to 1985.

He's due back in court August 14.