A tragic shooting occurred Thursday in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, when a father was shot and killed after confronting a man spray-painting a bridge shortly after dropping his child at school, authorities said.
Police received a 911 call just before 9 a.m. reporting a dispute on a bridge over Jordan Pond. According to Worcester District Attorney Joe Early, the 57-year-old man had returned from walking his 6-year-old child to Coolidge Elementary School when he encountered another man spray-painting graffiti.
#Shrewsbury Shooting: Father Fatally Shot After Confronting Graffiti Artist
A father was fatally shot Thursday in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, after confronting a man spray-painting a bridge shortly after dropping his child at Coolidge Elementary School. Police responded to a 911… pic.twitter.com/OR5eyNxgH5
— LoudFact (@loudfactcom) August 28, 2025
Dispute Sparked by Photos of Graffiti
Authorities said the father took photos of the man spray-painting, which led to an altercation. The victim then called 911 for help.
“The 911 operator was on the phone with the victim, who was reporting the altercation, and then heard the shots and advised the operators as they were responding that they could hear the shots over the 911 line,” Shrewsbury Police Chief Kevin Anderson told CBS News.
Victim Succumbs to Gunshot Wounds
When officers arrived at the bridge, they found the father suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later died. Officials have not released the victim’s name.
Suspect Surrenders After Tense Standoff
A video shows the suspect in the fatal shooting surrendering to @MassStatePolice STOP team after a tense standoff on Edgewater Avenue in Shrewsbury. Authorities confirmed that the suspect, described as armed and dangerous, was taken into custody safely.
According to Worcester County DA, the fatal shooting occurred after the father confronted the suspect following an altercation on the bridge.
