Former Fall River mayor Flanagan speaks out for first time since assault
FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — Former Fall River mayor Will Flanagan has spoken out for the first time since he was stabbed in an attack near his city marijuana dispensary on October 20.
Flanagan’s statement reads in part:
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!
Flanagan has been hospitalized since the incident.
A suspect in the Hartwell Street attack was arrested the following morning by Fall River police.
Corree Gonzales, 31, allegedly assaulted Fall River officers during his arrest.
He now faces charges in the alleged arrest assault, as well as in connection to his alleged assault of Flanagan.
Flanagan served as the mayor of Fall River from 2010 until 2014 when 3,800 voters signed a petition to trigger a recall election if Flanagan did not resign the office.
Flanagan filed a complaint to a judge regarding the petition, but the recall election was allowed to go forward.
He ultimately lost the election to then Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter.
