Fall River Police Officer Fatally Shoots 19-Year-Old, 5 Arrested In Related Disturbance
FALL RIVER (CBS) – A Fall River police officer shot and killed a 19-year-old man late Sunday night, according to investigators, and five people were later arrested at a nearby hospital in a related disturbance.
A caller told police at around 11:45 p.m. they heard "two loud bangs" that sounded like gunshots and that a car was also smoking in the area of Airport Road.
Police responded and found multiple vehicles leaving the area.
The Bristol County District Attorney's office said the first responding officer got out of his cruiser and tried to stop one of the cars leaving the scene.
The officer fired shots into the car, striking the driver who was later identified as 19-year-old Larry Ruiz-Barreto of New Bedford.
Ruiz-Barreto was rushed to Charlton Memorial Hospital, where he died a short time later.
A disturbance then broke out in the hospital waiting room and five of Ruiz-Barreto's family members were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.
"There was a disturbance early this morning at Charlton Memorial Hospital related to the officer involved shooting in Fall River," the hospital said in a statement. "It took place in the waiting room area of the emergency department. Southcoast Health security assisted police during the incident to ensure that it remained isolated to that area. No patients were affected, and there were no significant injuries suffered by those involved."
All five people were arraigned on Monday, including the 19-year-old's father, who was in tears.
While leaving the courthouse, one family member said she believed police were covering up what actually happened leading up to Ruiz-Barreto's death.
"Most of the time they cover themselves to kill the people," the woman said.