A day after a man identifying as transgender shot into a Catholic church in Minneapolis, a similar incident occurred in Massachusetts. This time, a six-year-old boy was with his father, who had just walked him to school in Shrewsbury.
The Shrewsbury Police Department received a 911 call just before 9 AM on Thursday. During the call, dispatchers reportedly heard gunshots, and the victim, identified as 56-year-old Kevin Doherty, was heard saying, “He shot me.”
Upon arrival, officers found Doherty injured on the ground. After rendering first aid, he was taken to UMass Medical Center for treatment. As the suspect fled, nearby schools were locked down and a manhunt was initiated.
Police collaborated with the Massachusetts Police Special Tactical Operations Team, employing drone technology to track the suspect. Eventually, he was apprehended at his home without incident.
According to court documents, the suspect, 26-year-old Snehal Ansh Srivastava, has been charged with armed assault with intent to kill and possessing a firearm without a license. Srivastava pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Friday.
Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. stated that Doherty had been observing graffiti near Jordan Pond when he noticed the vandalism. Concerned about neighborhood upkeep, he took a photo before the incident unfolded.
Community advocates mentioned that Srivastava identifies as transgender. In various photos and on social media, he appears with facial hair while dressed in women’s clothing, using the pronouns “her” or “she.”
One of Srivastava’s social media sites contains violent rhetoric, including calls for genocide. He has made statements regarding revolutionary ideas aimed at certain groups, asserting his ideology over the local community and making disparaging remarks about various entities.
Interestingly, Srivastava’s residence showed signs of left-wing political expressions, including graffiti that read “BLM” and “Free Palestine.”
This arrest was not Srivastava’s first encounter with the law. He had previous arrests dating back to July 2021 for charges including assault and battery, as well as more recent charges in September 2022 for violent behavior involving a dangerous weapon.
Ultimately, this ongoing situation presents a troubling blend of community violence and extremist ideologies, reminding us of the complex challenges faced in addressing such issues.
