Fall River Police release update after man fatally shot in exchange of gunfire after mental health call

Fall River Police have issued an update to an incident from this morning that resulted in a fatal shooting.

According to police, at approximately 1:37 a.m., the Fall River Police Department received multiple emergency calls from concerned family members regarding a male relative who was experiencing a mental health crisis on Langley Street. Callers reported that the male was expressing suicidal ideations and was in possession of a firearm.

Upon arrival, responding officers immediately secured the perimeter and began evacuating residents from the adjoining duplex, as well as family members residing in the same home as the male. While securing the area, additional calls continued to come in from family members, reiterating the male’s intent to harm himself.

Given the nature and urgency of the situation, medical personnel were requested to stage nearby. At approximately 2:25 a.m., a trained crisis negotiator arrived on scene and initiated multiple attempts to communicate with the male using phone calls, text messages, and a loudspeaker. Despite all efforts, communication was not successfully established.

At 2:42 a.m., the department’s Emergency Services Unit arrived to assist in securing the residence and further support communication efforts. After nearly an hour of unsuccessful attempts to establish dialogue, the decision was made to breach the front entry and re-establish communications.

At approximately 3:15 a.m., ESU breached the front door and maintained a secure position at the threshold. Movement was immediately observed at the top of the staircase, directly in front of the entryway. While ESU officers stood in the doorway, the male fired upon them from the top of the stairs. Officers returned fire while repositioning away from the entryway. Communication efforts continued both prior to and following the exchange of gunfire.

After regaining position, ESU deployed a flashbang distraction device and made entry into the home.

At approximately 3:18 a.m., the male was located at the top of the stairs. He was found in possession of a short-barreled rifle 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 immediately rendered the scene safe and requested medical assistance. The male was taken into custody at that time.

Still images from the footage show the firearms found in the male’s possession.

Police released the following body cam video of the exchange of gunfire. Warning that the video contains language.

Fall River Police did not release that the man is deceased, but family members say 38-year-old Domonick Knight died from his injuries and was a married father of 4 and a veteran who was kindhearted, funny, and humble.

They say Knight called the police for help with his mental health. The family has created a fundraiser for funeral costs and to hire a lawyer.

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office stated that an autopsy along with other forensic testing is pending.

The matter remains under active investigation by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the Massachusetts State Police.