Fall River officer involved shooting deemed justified according to report

The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office has ruled that the police shooting resulting in the death of a 19-year-old New Bedford man last November at the Fall River Industrial Park was justified.

The shooting occurred on November 12, just after 11:37 p.m., near Airport and Riggenbach roads. Police radio scanner reports show that Officer Hoar was the first one to arrive at the scene, where a drag race was organized through the Facebook group “Low Budget Racing”.

A 21-page report released today by the district attorney’s office said that Larry Ruiz-Barreto “intentionally and unlawfully” used his motor vehicle to endanger the life of Fall River Police Officer Nicholas Hoar. Multiple witness statements were part of the report.

The report states Ruiz-Barreto refused to stop for the officer. At one point shaking his head no. Ruiz-Barreto drove at Hoar knowing he was in front of the vehicle. Hoar could not avoid the vehicle due to cars leaving the scene and was knocked off of his feet and pushed onto the hood of the vehicle. With the officer kissing the windshield with his firearm, investigators said Ruiz-Barreto refused to stop his car. Hoar shot Ruiz-Barreto after the driver hit the gas despite several requests for him to stop the vehicle. Officer Hoar was treated at Saint Anne’s hospital for knee pain after the incident.

 Ruiz-Barreto was later pronounced dead at Charlton Memorial Hospital.