Fall River residents on high alert after weekend violence

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — Fall River residents were left shaken after three separate shootings over the weekend.

The department advised residents Monday that there is no threat to the public as they investigate the violent incidents, which were not random — and possibly connected.

A candle memorial on Locust Avenue honored the life of Jovanni Perez, 18, who was shot and killed Saturday afternoon.

Fall River residents told ABC 6 News they were concerned about their own safety.

“It made us worried, because we walk all around this area. These are kind of our stomping grounds for walking and now it is just making us all kind of nervous,” said Katelyn Lefaver.

“I just know that when I got back on Sunday, all the girls at my house were talking about it,” she said. “They said they heard gunshots and that there was an 18-year-old that got killed.”

An 18-year-old man was fatally shot on Locust Street in Fall River, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (WLNE)

Police said the shooting happened around 12:15 p.m. Saturday. Perez later died at a nearby hospital.

“I believe that there is a problem that children are not disciplined. They run around and they commit acts of violence and no one ever tells them no and they are never punished, so it just escalates,” said Travis Saucier.

The family of Perez started a GoFundMe page to help cover the cost for his funeral services. A loved one wrote that Perez left behind two young children.

Police said the fatal shooting was one of three that happened within 12 hours of each other on Saturday.

“It is important for the citizens of Fall River to understand that these shootings are specific targeted acts of violence between specific individuals,” police said in a statement. “There is no immediate cause for concern to the general public, relative to random acts of violence occurring within our city.”

No arrests were made, but the department is confident in finding those responsible.

The department said there will be additional patrols in the areas impacted by the weekend violence.