FALL RIVER, MA — On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at approximately 1:37 AM, the Fall River Police Department received multiple emergency calls from family members reporting that a male relative was experiencing a mental health crisis. Callers stated that the male was expressing suicidal ideations and was believed to be armed with a firearm.
Responding officers arrived at the residence and immediately secured the area, evacuating residents from the adjoining duplex and family members from within the home. As officers worked to contain the situation, additional calls confirmed the male’s continued threats of self-harm.
Due to the seriousness of the call, medical personnel were requested to stage nearby. At approximately 2:25 AM, a trained Crisis Negotiator arrived on scene and attempted to establish communication through phone calls, text messages, and a loudspeaker. All attempts were unsuccessful.
At 2:42 AM, the department’s Emergency Services Unit (ESU) responded to assist. After nearly an hour of unsuccessful negotiation, the decision was made to breach the front door in an effort to initiate contact more directly.
At approximately 3:15 AM, ESU officers breached the residence. Upon making entry, movement was observed at the top of the staircase, where the male suddenly fired at officers. ESU returned fire while repositioning to safety. Efforts to communicate continued both before and after the exchange.
ESU then deployed a flashbang distraction device and proceeded inside. At approximately 3:18 AM, the male was located at the top of the stairs with a short-barreled rifle (SBR) equipped with a drum magazine beneath his body and a handgun near his hand. The male appeared to have sustained a gunshot wound to the side of the head. Officers secured the scene and requested immediate medical aid. The male was taken into custody.
This incident remains under active investigation by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with the Massachusetts State Police.