Man shot dead after confronting graffiti vandal in Massachusetts
- Kevin Doherty confronted a man spraying graffiti at a park after dropping off his child at school.
- A witness called 911 during the escalating altercation, which resulted in gunfire.
- The suspect, Snehal Srivastava, was arrested later and is facing serious charges.
In Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, a tragic incident unfolded on a Thursday morning when a 57-year-old father named Kevin Doherty was shot and killed following a confrontation over graffiti. The altercation occurred at approximately 8:47 a.m. after Doherty had just dropped off his 6-year-old son at school. While walking home, he noticed Snehal Srivastava, a 26-year-old man, spray-painting graffiti on a bridge in Jordan Park. Witnessing the act, Doherty decided to confront the vandal, intending to document the wrongdoing by taking a picture of Srivastava. This action, however, unwittingly escalated the situation into a heated dispute that led to violence. According to local authorities, the confrontation became aggressive, with both men exchanging words. Accounts indicate that a witness saw the argument between them and called 911 for assistance as the situation deteriorated. Meanwhile, during the scuffle, Srivastava allegedly drew a firearm and shot Doherty multiple times before fleeing the scene. In the immediate aftermath, police locked down nearby schools and homes, including an elementary school, while a search operation commenced. Law enforcement was able to respond rapidly, arriving at the scene shortly after receiving the 911 distress call, which reportedly included Doherty saying, "He shot me." Kevin Doherty was promptly transported to the UMass Memorial Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Following a three-hour manhunt, police arrested Srivastava, who surrendered without further incident. He was subsequently charged with armed assault and related offenses. Legal proceedings began, with Srivastava being held without bail at an arraignment where details of his past criminal history emerged. Authorities revealed that prior incidents involving Srivastava pointed to a troubling pattern of violence, including a machete attack in a previous confrontation. Additionally, graffiti linked to gang affiliations had been found at his residence, suggesting a deeper issue within the community regarding violence and vandalism. The incident has shocked the local community, raising concerns over safety and the impact of graffiti on public spaces, prompting discussions about how such conflicts can escalate to deadly outcomes.