Former Mayor Stabbed Outside His Cannabis Dispensary: A Story of Violence and Recovery
In a shocking incident that has rattled the Massachusetts city of Fall River, former Democratic Mayor Will Flanagan was brutally stabbed outside his own business on Monday afternoon. Security footage captured the harrowing moment when a man rushed toward the 45-year-old Flanagan outside Cosmopolitan Dispensary and stabbed him multiple times. The attack, which occurred around 5 p.m., left the former mayor with what police described as “significant injuries.” The video shows Flanagan falling behind a car during the assault before the assailant fled the scene. Despite his injuries, Flanagan managed to get to his feet moments later to seek help. The incident has left the community stunned, particularly given Flanagan’s prominent role in the city’s recent history.
The severity of Flanagan’s condition underscores the brutality of the attack. Currently hospitalized on a ventilator, the former mayor is in serious but stable condition and is scheduled for another surgery. Police quickly moved on the case, arresting 31-year-old Corree Gonzales in connection with the stabbing. The current Fall River Mayor, Paul Coogan, noted that Gonzales has a history of criminal activity, but expressed that his greater concern lies with the suspect’s mental health and his ability to reintegrate into society. This observation points to broader issues at the intersection of crime, mental health, and community safety that many American cities are grappling with today.
The legal proceedings surrounding Gonzales reveal a troubled background that may have contributed to this violent outburst. While charges directly related to the stabbing are still pending, Gonzales already faces four counts of assault and battery on police officers. Following his arrest, a doctor testified that Gonzales suffers from serious mental illness, leading to his detention without bail at Bridgewater State Hospital rather than a traditional jail facility. This aspect of the case highlights the challenges within our criminal justice system when dealing with individuals who have both criminal records and significant mental health issues. The question of how such individuals should be handled—both for their own well-being and for public safety—remains a contentious issue across the country.
Flanagan’s political career adds another layer of complexity to this troubling story. He served as Fall River’s Democratic mayor from 2010 until 2014, when his tenure ended dramatically with a recall election. That recall came after allegations that he had intimidated a political rival, Jasiel Correia, by displaying a gun during a confrontation—a claim that tarnished his reputation at the time. Since leaving office, Flanagan had reinvented himself as an attorney while also developing a sideline career as a local film performer, according to The Herald News. In an eerie coincidence, just hours before the stabbing, Flanagan had posted a video of himself singing “Blame it on the Rain” during a storm passing through the area—a mundane moment that stands in stark contrast to the violence that would follow.
The response from local authorities has been swift and determined. Fall River Police Chief Kelly Furtado characterized the attack as a “senseless act of violence” and promised that the department would “exhaust every resource to ensure justice is served.” She also acknowledged the support of the Mayor’s Office as the investigation moves forward. This coordinated response reflects the seriousness with which local officials are treating the incident, particularly given the victim’s former position as a city leader. The attack on a former mayor has naturally drawn significant attention and concern throughout the community, raising questions about public safety even for prominent citizens.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing concerns about violent crime and repeat offenders in urban areas across America. While the specific motivations behind this attack remain unclear, the case touches on several pressing social issues: the challenges of mental health treatment, the complexities of the criminal justice system, and the sometimes violent realities faced by public figures even after leaving office. For Flanagan, who once led the city of Fall River and has since built a life as a businessman, attorney, and occasional performer, the road to recovery will likely be long and difficult. The community now watches anxiously, hoping for his recovery while also seeking answers about how such a violent attack could occur in broad daylight outside a local business, and what might be done to prevent similar incidents in the future.
