In an update Tuesday police said the shooting was a “targeted act of violence amongst otherwise known individuals.” They described the victim as being upgraded to stable condition.
FALL RIVER — The 23-year-old victim shot Monday morning in the Flint section of the city, around Thomas and Pleasant streets, may have a few good Samaritans to thank for saving his life.
When the victim showed up at their door bleeding just after 10 a.m., Gilbert's Jewelers' workers and a Vietnam veteran customer, helped the man until paramedics arrived.
Police said he suffered one gunshot wound to the leg. In an update Tuesday they said the shooting was a “targeted act of violence amongst otherwise known individuals.” They described the victim as being upgraded to stable condition.
Gilbert Costa, son of Gilbert’s Jewelry store owner, said the victim was “covered in blood. The guy was saying he was shot. He was bleeding profusely.”
Vietnam veteran Bill Desmarais, 68, was in the store at the time of the incident and was able to use his skills in the tense situation.
“The guy banged on the door, asking for help,” Desmarais said.
The victim was brought inside the store and put into a chair. They gave him a towel to put pressure on the wound and called 9-1-1.
Desmarais said the bullet hole was a couple of inches below the groin area, where the shot had obviously hit the artery.
“We tried to tie off his leg,” Desmarais said.
Costa said the victim tried to leave at one point, but they kept him there until help arrived.
When the bleeding wouldn’t stop, Desmarais had the victim put his finger into the hole to stem the bleeding. But, blood kept gurgling from the wound. Desmarais had him use his thumb instead.
“The poor guy lost a lot of blood,” Desmarais said.
Police arrived and took over. Desmarais said: “It was pretty quick, but it seemed like it took forever.”
Police and paramedics aided the victim and transported him to the trauma center at Rhode Island Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. The victim has since been upgraded to stable condition and is recovering at Rhode Island Hospital.
Police Sgt. J.T. Hoar, in a press release Tuesday, said the Major Crimes Division has been working “tirelessly” on the investigation. He said they have several persons of interest and are working on leads.
“A post impact crime team has been deployed in the Flint neighborhood comprised of both uniform and plain clothes officers from the Special Operations Division,” Hoar said.
Hoar said police are not releasing the victim’s name for his privacy and safety. Police are also not releasing any information about potential suspects in order to preserve evidence.
Gilbert’s Jewelers was open for business as usual on Tuesday, hoping to get past the incident that unfolded in the shop Monday morning.
“It was a grisly crime scene in front of our store, but at no time we were in fear for our lives,” said Gilbert’s Jewelers employee David Dos Santos in an email to The Herald News. “We just wanted to help a stranger who asked for help. We tried to get him comfortable as best we could like we would do for anyone.”
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Detective Luis Vertentes of the Major Crimes Division at 508-324-2796, or use the anonymous Tip Line at 508-672-(TIPS) 8477.
Email Deborah Allard at dallard@heraldnews.com