Former Fall River Mayor Stabbed

Will Flanagan, who previously served as the Democratic mayor of Fall River, Massachusetts, has been hospitalized due to serious injuries after a stabbing incident outside his marijuana dispensary.

The police department in Fall River reported that Flanagan was in serious but stable condition following the attack, which took place outside the Cosmopolitan Pharmacy on Monday night.

Flanagan was mayor from 2010 to 2014, a period during which he faced a recall election triggered by allegations of brandishing a firearm at political rival Jasiel Correia.

The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Cory Gonzalez, was arrested shortly after the stabbing, which was captured on security cameras. Gonzalez has reportedly undergone a mental health evaluation since then. A doctor testified in court on Wednesday, suggesting that further assessments were needed to determine if Gonzalez could stand trial.

This wasn’t Gonzalez’s first encounter with legal issues. He has a history known to the Fall River Police, including a guilty plea in 2019 for assault with a dangerous weapon which led to a brief jail sentence. He faced multiple charges in subsequent years, but some cases were dismissed due to lack of prosecution.

Currently, Gonzalez is facing four counts of assault and battery against a police officer related to the incident involving Flanagan. He remains in custody without bail at Bridgewater State Hospital, where he must stay for at least 20 days.

Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan commented that while he isn’t overly concerned about Gonzalez’s criminal background, he is worried about his mental health and reintegration into society.