Larry Ruiz-Barreto (2017)

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Overview

On November 12, 2017, Fall River Massachusetts Police Department Officer Nicholas Hoar responded to a call of a crowd with a possible fight and gunshots. The gathering was an organized drag race, and cars scattered when Hoar arrived. Hoar exited his vehicle and approached a car driven by Ruiz-Barreto. Hoar claimed that Ruiz-Barreto drove toward him, ignored commands to stop, and knocked Hoar onto the hood of the car. Hoar drew his gun and aimed it at Ruiz-Barreto, who drove forward again, prompting Hoar to shoot through the windshield, striking Ruiz-Barreto.[1][2][3]

Paramedics responded. Ruiz-Barreto died at the hospital.[2]

Witnesses claimed that Hoar was not struck by the car.[4]

Family members claimed that Officer Michael Pessoa assaulted them at the hospital where Ruiz-Barreto was taken.[5]

No body-worn camera video or witness video exists of the incident. Video from a distant surveillance camera recorded the incident with low detail.[4]

On March 16, 2018, the county District Attorney cleared Hoar of any wrongdoing, saying that Ruiz-Barreto had "intentionally and unlawfully" used his car against Hoar, who "was justified in using deadly force".[1][6]

After the criminal review, the department opened an internal investigation.[1]

On November 2, 2020, the family filed a lawsuit against Hoar, Pessoa, and other officers.[7] ‎

Officers Involved


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Brian Fraga, DA's office: Fall River police officer justified in fatal shooting, The Herald News, 2018-03-16
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Brian Fraga, As investigation in shooting death of 19-year-old continues, few details revealed, The Herald News, 2017-11-14
  3. ↑ Jo Goode, Fall River police officer Nicholas Hoar arrested in connection to alleged assault, The Herald News, 2022-11-30
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ben Berke, Falsification charges against Fall River cop prompt calls to reinvestigate his past, WBUR, 2023-01-29
  5. ↑ Jo Goode, 'Egregious violations': Fall River police fire officer awaiting trial for excessive force, Herald News, 2022-01-12
  6. ↑ Jo Goode, Fall River police officer at center of a $34M civil suit investigated again for excessive force, The Herald News, 2021-03-02
  7. ↑ Jo Goode, Larry Ruiz-Barreto's family files lawsuit against Fall River Police Department, Herald News, 2020-11-04

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