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Former Fall River Mayor Will Flanagan Recounts Stabbing, Urges Mental-Health Policy Shift

Prosecutors secured the suspect’s detention for psychiatric evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital following the Oct. 20 attack.

Overview

  • In his first extended TV interviews, Flanagan describes surviving multiple stab wounds outside his Hartwell Street cannabis dispensary and says he is now recovering at home after six days on life support.
  • Surveillance footage captured the assailant running up from behind and striking at Flanagan’s head and neck, which he says he never saw coming.
  • Police arrested Corree K. Gonzales, 31, days after the attack; he pleaded not guilty to armed assault to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury.
  • A judge ordered Gonzales to Bridgewater State Hospital for further psychiatric evaluation, and court records note a lengthy criminal history and long-term mental-health issues reported by his family.
  • Flanagan says he forgives his attacker and calls on President Trump to consider reopening institutional care options, adding that investigators have not determined the weapon or motive.