Fall River police say gunshots in surveillance video of altercation were faked

FALL RIVER — Police say the gunshots heard in a surveillance video that prompted a call-out for information on a possible June 15 shooting were faked for social media popularity.

Several days after investigating a report of an alleged stabbing near Locust and Rock streets but turning up no leads, the department shared on its Facebook page surveillance footage of the supposed altercation first posted by a homeowner. The video included audio of what police believed at the time to be gunfire, according to a news release from the Fall River Police Department.

The homeowner contacted the department Monday and, in an interview, admitted that he added the sounds "as a way to create drama," and posted the video to Facebook rather than notifying authorities, the department said.

"After speaking with the owner of the surveillance system, it was clear that he edited the video to embellish the incident and create social media attention," police said.

The department said it does not condone such behavior and encourages people who capture potential crimes on surveillance systems to report the incidents to police.

In the video, a light-colored sedan stops at the intersection, then someone appears to open the car's trunk. Three people then run away from the intersection, headed west.

A fourth person is seen running toward the others, then a group of three people head back toward Rock Street and get into the sedan.

The altercation and alleged stabbing remain under investigation, though police said there is no evidence that a stabbing occurred. Police said there also is no evidence of a shooting, nor did any witnesses call to report one.

Those with information can contact Detective Luis Vertentes at 508-676-8511, ext. 260. Tips can be submitted via Facebook Messenger and by calling the anonymous line 508-672-TIPS.