Dartmouth Man Arraigned and Ordered Into Mental Health Facility

Bristol County District Attorney’s Office
Thomas M. Quinn III
District Attorney

Press Release
March 4, 2016

Ryan Kuphal, 23, of Dartmouth was ordered to pay $5,000 cash bail and immediately check himself into an inpatient mental health facility during his arraignment this afternoon in New Bedford District Court.

The defendant is due back in court March 11th for a status conference to determine further conditions of his pre-trial release.

Mr. Kuphal, who was shot by a Dartmouth Police Officer Sunday afternoon after allegedly charging at officers with a knife, is currently charged with domestic assault and battery, use of a motor vehicle without authority, larceny over $250, unarmed robbery of a person over 60 years old, and unarmed carjacking.

At around 4 p.m. Sunday, Dartmouth Police were called to 779 Dartmouth Street for a report of a domestic violence incident between a mother and her son, later identified as 23-year-old Ryan Kuphal. While police were en route to the home, Mr. Kuphal allegedly stole jewelry and car keys from his mother and drove away in her vehicle.

Mr. Kuphal drove to the South Dartmouth Cemetery, where he allegedly assaulted an 81-year-old Dartmouth woman and attempted to steal her vehicle. After being unable to get the woman’s car started, Mr. Kuphal fled on foot into a yard outside of a home located at 28 Bush Street in South Dartmouth.

Dartmouth Police eventually located Mr. Kuphal in that yard. While armed with a knife, Mr. Kuphal began charging at the responding officers. A non-lethal taser was deployed by an officer, but the taser was not successful in disabling Mr. Kuphal. After continuing to charge at the officers, one officer fired his service weapon and struck Mr. Kuphal one time.

Mr. Kuphal was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital where he was treated for a single gunshot wound.

This morning, Mr. Kuphal was released from the hospital and waived rendition in order to be arraigned in New Bedford District Court. Massachusetts State Police Troopers transported the defendant to court this afternoon.

The incident is being investigated by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s office. No further information can be disseminated at this time due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Contact
Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
508-997-0711
774-292-9576—cell