Former Fall River mayor Will Flanagan experienced a shocking and brutal attack earlier this week while at his cannabis dispensary in Massachusetts. Surveillance footage reveals a violent encounter where the assailant, Corree Gonzales, approached Flanagan from behind, stabbing him in the neck and head before fleeing the scene. Flanagan fell to the ground, leaving him bleeding on the sidewalk.
The attack unfolded at the Cosmopolitan Dispensary, a business Flanagan owns. He was quickly transported to a hospital, where he was reported to be in serious but stable condition following the assault. Gonzales, 31, with a long history of criminal behavior, was arrested shortly after the incident. He had not only attacked Flanagan but also assaulted four police officers who responded to the scene.
Details about Gonzales’s background reveal more about his troubling past. Court documents indicate he was homeless at the time of the stabbing, with a record that includes threats toward family members. His sister stated that he has been struggling with mental health issues since he was a teenager, further complicating the narrative surrounding the violent crime.
Flanagan, who served as mayor from 2010 to 2014, was recalled after a previous incident where he brandished a gun toward a political rival. Since leaving office, he has maintained a lively social media presence, often sharing whimsical or humorous content. Just hours before the assault, he posted a video of himself singing a song during a rainstorm. Despite the bizarre nature of his online antics, the recent attack has spotlighted serious concerns about public safety and the prevalence of violence within communities.
As Flanagan recovers, the circumstances surrounding his attack raise critical questions. The incident highlights the challenges posed by homelessness and mental health issues, as exemplified by Gonzales’s background. In a society grappling with issues related to crime and safety, this shocking event serves as a reminder of the complexities at play.
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