Suspect Killed, Two Officers Wounded in Early Morning Fall River Police Shooting

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn, III announced an officer involved shooting in Fall River that took place shortly after midnight on Linden Street. Two Fall River police officers were wounded with non-life threatening injuries as a result of the incident. The suspect identified as 40-year-old Nigel Vaughn of Fall River was pronounced deceased.

Fall River Police responded to 309 Linden Street in Fall River at approximately 12:13 am as a result of a 911 call that indicated a black male possessed a firearm in a vehicle outside of that address. When police arrived on scene, they encountered the suspect who was outside of the address in a dark colored SUV. Due to the nature of the call, officers performed a pat frisk of the suspect. During that process, the suspect began to violently resist which resulted in a physical struggle with the officers.

During the physical struggle, the suspect produced a firearm. While on the ground the suspect began firing at police, striking one officer in the elbow and a second officer in the abdomen striking his bullet resistant vest.

A third officer was also on scene. Officers on scene then returned fire striking the suspect. Officers rendered aid to the suspect and a Glock firearm with an aftermarket modification known a switch was located next to the suspect. The switch made the weapon fully automatic, capable of firing multiple rounds with one trigger pull.

The suspect was transported to a local hospital and pronounced deceased shortly after his arrival. The two injured officers and the third officer who returned fire were all transported for treatment. The injuries to officers were non-life threatening and all three officers have been discharged.

Fall River Police interacted with the suspect a short time prior to the shooting just before midnight also on Linden Street at Knight’s Gas Station. Police responded to a call that reported reckless driving in the parking lot along with a possible physical altercation. When police arrived, they located the suspect in the gas station lot in a dark colored SUV along with two other individuals. After a brief interaction, the suspect was told to leave the private lot.

Nigel Vaughn was convicted and sentenced to 18 to 20 years in state prison in 2007 for shooting three people on April 12, 2005. The shooting occurred at Larry’s Sports Pub on Morgan Street in Fall River, where Vaughn shot three people after becoming enraged when his sweatshirt was knocked off a bar stool. All three victims survived, and two testified at trial.

“Once again, this incident highlights the dangers police face in encounters with armed individuals. The suspect has a violent history and the officers were just doing their job on a brutally cold night trying to protect the community. Through the grace of God all of the officers lives were spared. I am grateful for their service and professionalism under the most difficult of circumstances,” District Attorney Tom Quinn said.

” We are deeply grateful that our officers are able to return home to their families tonight. Each day, they serve with dedication to protect our community. Incidents like this underscore the inherent risks of this profession and remind us how fortunate we are to be served by such courageous men and women. Fall River is proud to be protected by some of the finest police officers,” Fall River Police Chief Kelly Furtado said.

The investigation is active and ongoing and is being conducted by the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.