Larry Ruiz-Barreto, 19

Fall River, Massachusetts
November 13, 2017

Agencies: Fall River Police Department Massachusetts | Massachusetts State Police MSP

Cause of death: Shooting

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Last updated: almost 6 years ago

Overview

A New Bedford man died overnight after he was shot by a police officer in Fall River, the office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn III said, and several of his relatives and friends were later arrested during an altercation with police at Charlton Memorial Hospital.

Megan Borges, a spokesperson for the DA’s office, said Monday that Larry Ruiz-Barreto, 19, was pronounced dead at the hospital following the shooting.

According to Borges, police responded just after 11:30 p.m. Sunday to a report of possible gunshots near the intersection of Riggenbach and Airport Roads.

Upon arrival, Borges said a number of vehicles were seen leaving the area and police attempted to pull one of them over. It was during that encounter that an officer opened fire into the car and shot the driver, Ruiz-Barreto.

Fall River police said the 911 caller had reported a car was smoking, and they heard two bangs that could have been gunshots. Police did not comment on why the officer decided to use deadly force.

The DA’s office said it’s investigating the shooting along with Massachusetts State Police, and would work to determine if the officer was justified in the shooting. Police did not release the officer’s name.

Legal Action

On March 16, 2018, it was announced that an investigation had cleared the police officer who shot and killed Ruiz-Barreto.