Woman stabbed to death, man shot dead in Taunton

March 15, 2016 10:30 am

The apartment complex where a 23-year-old man was shot in an apparent home invasion.

By Rebecca Turco

rturco@abc6.com

Police are investigating two murders that occurred just hours apart Monday night in Taunton.

A wreath is carefully placed in front of a makeshift memorial on Morton Street as loved ones mourn 23-year-old Vanessa Courtney.

Courtney’s fiancee, Nikki Clarke, tells ABC6 she found her inside the apartment Monday evening slashed and stabbed to death.

"I just want her back. This isn’t supposed to happen," said Clarke.

Courtney was a barber, a dog breeder, and a mother to her young son. Now, her family is waiting for answers.

"Justice will be served and we will not stop until it is. This is a strong family and we’re not going to let this go," Clarke’s mother, said Sheri Ramos.

Less than three hours after that murder, another death occurred at an apartment building on Hart Street, though police believe it was likely self-defense during an attempted home invasion.

Police believe 23-year-old Dominique Scott, of Taunton, was shot to death when he and another masked man forced themselves inside an apartment. The man who lives there told police he was held up at gunpoint in a headlock but managed to break free and shoot Scott when Scott drew out his gun.

"I can’t believe that happened–someone actually got shot. This community is safe. I never thought something like that would have happened," said Taunton resident, Jennifer Caradonna.

The man who lives in that apartment is being questioned, but is not being charged at this time. Police are still looking into motives in each case and the investigations continue.