Photo: Jay Willett/WBZ NewsRadio
FALL RIVER, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Fall River police said Tuesday that a suspect is under arrest in the stabbing of former Fall River Mayor Will Flanagan, who was left with serious injuries.
Police first announced the news of the stabbing Monday night. Officers received multiple calls about the stabbing around 5 p.m. that day near the 100 block of Hartwell Street, police said.
Officers discovered that the victim was the former mayor after arriving on the scene.
Police said Flanagan was taken to the hospital with “significant” injuries and was listed in serious but stable condition as of Monday night.
The suspect’s identity will be released once they are arraigned on charges, police said.
The department thanked all of the detectives and officers who collected evidence reviewed camera footage, and obtained witness statements that led to the arrest of the suspect at around 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
Police said footage provided by the community also supported the investigation.
The department and Mayor Paul Coogan released a joint statement on the stabbing Monday night, saying they were “deeply saddened by the violent incident.”
“My thoughts and prayers are with Former Mayor Will Flanagan, his family, and friends. The full support of the Mayor’s Office is with the Fall River Police Department as they work tirelessly to bring justice in this case. We stand firmly behind Chief Kelly Furtado, and the dedicated men and women of the FRPD as they continue this active investigation,” Coogan said in the statement.
Flanagan was mayor from 2010 until 2014, when he lost a recall election.