Massachusetts

Family in Court After Teen Killed in Police-Involved Shooting in Fall River, Massachusetts

Police said a 19-year-old was killed in an officer-involved shooting overnight in Massachusetts.

Fall River police responded to a city industrial park for reports of "loud bangs and smoking cars" at about 11:37 p.m. Sunday. The caller told police a green hatchback car was smoking and reported hearing bangs that sounded like gunshots. The caller was unsure if it was a crash or a fight.

Police arriving at the scene noticed a number of vehicles leaving the area. The first responding officer attempted to stop a vehicle from leaving the scene. During that encounter, the officer fired shots into the vehicle, striking the driver.

The driver, later identified as Larry Ruiz-Barreto, 19, of New Bedford, was transported to Charlton Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Around 2 a.m. Monday, police were called to a disturbance at Charlton Memorial Hospital. Police said 10 to 15 of Ruiz-Barreto's family members had gathered at the hospital waiting to hear of his status and were being disruptive. When they learned that he had died, the group in the waiting room began throwing chairs and tables and kicking trash barrels and hand sanitizer stands, shattering windows and glass and damaging other property. One man spat at a police officer and threatened to shoot and kill police.

Police from several neighboring communities were called in, and five people were ultimately arrested on disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace charges.

The incident remains under investigation.

The five arrested at the hospital were arraigned Monday.

At the courthouse, members of Ruiz-Barreto's family cried and held each other, telling NBC Boston that the teen's hands were up during the incident when he was shot by police.

All of the family members arrested were released and are due back in court in January.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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