Former Fall River mayor Will Flanagan releases powerful and touching statement after stabbing

A former Fall River mayor has made his first public comments since a near fatal stabbing.

Will Flanagan took to social media to release the following:

A Message From My Heart

I came face to face with death. A man, lost in psychosis, stabbed me multiple times — in my face, in my body, and in my neck. I can still feel the weight of those moments. The sound. The fear. The realization that I might never see my family again.

That I might never tell my family I loved them one last time.

I remember falling, feeling my own blood, and praying — not for myself, but for one more chance. One more breath. One more sunrise.

And by the grace of God, I got that chance. God raised me up!

Because of the bravery of police officers who ran toward danger… Because of the strength of EMTs and Firefighters who fought to keep me alive when every second counted… Because of the skill, mercy, and love of the doctors and nurses at Saint Luke’s who refused to give up on me — I am still here.

They didn’t just save my life. They gave me back my future.

I was inches from death — and yet somehow, God said “Not today.”

I believe He heard every prayer, every whisper, every tear shed by people who cared.

God is the all mighty and he works in mysterious ways.

Since that night, I’ve felt the power of love in a way I never thought possible.

The prayers, the messages, the faces of friends and strangers who reached out — they’ve brought me to tears over and over.

You’ve shown me that even when evil tries to take something good from this world, love always fights back. Yes the world has a lot of evil in it but good will always conquer the tyranny of evil.

I will carry these scars forever. They are now part of me — reminders that life can change in a heartbeat, that tomorrow is never guaranteed, and that miracles still happen. I now like many of God’s angels have bleed for our place in the world.

This experience broke me open — but it also made me see everything clearer..

The beauty in a hug. The meaning in “I love you.”The miracle in just being able to open my eyes each morning.

I don’t know why I was spared.

But I know this: I will never take another day for granted. I will love deeper. I will forgive quicker. I will live louder.

To the men and women who saved me — thank you for being angels on Earth.

To my brothers, family and friends who never stopped praying — your love held me together when my body couldn’t.

To everyone who reached out, cried, and cared — your compassion reminded me that goodness still reigns in this world.

I am alive today because of all of you.

To my mom and Liz for showing the true meaning of Love THANK YOU …

To my Willa and Westie Poppa is almost home …

Because of faith. Because of love. Because of grace.

From the depths of my soul — thank you.Thank you for giving me my life back. A second chance.

— Will

Corree K. Gonzales is currently the suspect in the stabbing, has yet to be arraigned, and is being held for a mental health evaluation with a court appearance scheduled for November 10th.