Fall River man shot in the face with flare gun taken to hospital

Police were investigating a man reportedly being shot in the face from the accidental discharge of a flare gun on Tecumseh Street near Plymouth Avenue and Middle Street.

FALL RIVER — Police were investigating a man reportedly being shot in the face from the accidental discharge of a flare gun on Tecumseh Street near Plymouth Avenue and Middle Street.

He was being taken from the scene by ambulance to Rhode Island Hospital, fire Captain Neil Furtado said. He said the fire department had no information to release about the male victim or his injuries.

Police Sgt. J.T. Hoar, public information officer, said the initial call-in of a firearm discharge was inaccurate and they dispatched officers to investigate.

Flare guns are typically 12-gauge, can be dangerous and cause burning, an official said. They are often used by boaters to release flares into the air as an alert.

A man at the scene, who identified his last name as Oliver, told a Herald News photographer it was his 23-year-old son, Josh, who was accidentally shot at close range.

Hoar said no identification or facts about the incident were available shortly after it occurred.

The call came in at 3:26 p.m. Tuesday in the vicinity of 42 Tecumseh St., he said.

This story will be updated when additional information becomes available.

Email Michael Holtzman at mholtzman@heraldnews.com or call him at 508-676-2573.