Domonick Knight Obituary, Death – A man experiencing a mental health crisis was shot and killed during an armed standoff with police in Fall River, Massachusetts, according to a statement released Tuesday by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office.
The incident began early Tuesday morning when Fall River police were called to a residence by family members concerned about 38-year-old Domonick Knight. They reported that Knight was undergoing a mental health episode and was armed, expressing thoughts of self-harm. Officers responded promptly to secure the area, while more calls from the family confirmed Knight’s continued threats to harm himself.
Due to the seriousness of the situation, medical personnel were placed on standby. Around 2:25 a.m., a trained crisis negotiator arrived at the scene and tried repeatedly to contact Knight using phone calls, text messages, and a loudspeaker. Despite these efforts, there was no successful communication established with him.
After more than an hour of failed attempts to engage Knight, police breached the home’s front door. As officers entered, they reportedly observed movement at the top of the staircase. It was at that point, according to police, that Knight opened fire on the Emergency Services Unit (ESU) officers.
The ESU officers returned fire while continuing attempts to de-escalate the situation. A flash-bang device was deployed, and officers later saw Knight again at the top of the stairs with a short-barreled rifle beneath him and a handgun nearby.
Knight was found with a gunshot wound to the head. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the fatal shot was self-inflicted or the result of police gunfire. An autopsy and forensic analysis are pending to determine the cause of death.
Knight’s family is challenging the police account. His sister, Danielle Otarro, expressed disbelief and anger, stating, “I don’t believe this is happening. I really want justice for my brother because some foul stuff went on. They went for a mental health check, and they ended up killing my brother.”
Knight lived in the home with his wife and four children. Otarro emphasized that her brother did not take his own life, despite any suggestions that may arise during the investigation.
The Fall River Police Department has released body camera footage of the standoff on their official Facebook page.
The shooting is being thoroughly investigated by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office in collaboration with the Massachusetts State Police. Investigators will examine the timeline, police actions, and circumstances surrounding Knight’s death to determine what happened and whether protocol was properly followed during the mental health response that ended in tragedy.
