Investigation into Death of Man in Police Custody Ongoing in Fall River
Bristol County District Attorney’s Office
Thomas M. Quinn III
District Attorney
Press Release
May 17, 2016
Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney’s office and prosecutors are currently investigating the death of a 48-year-old Brockton man while in the custody of Fall River Police yesterday.
The deceased has been identified as Scott Macomber, with a last known address of 14 Broad St., Brockton.
On Monday afternoon, Fall River Police officers drove to 584 Mount Hope Avenue to apprehend a 37-year-old Dartmouth woman, who was wanted by police on outstanding warrants. Police had received information that the woman was staying at the Mount Hope Avenue address.
According to a preliminary investigation, police saw the woman outside the home on Mount Hope Avenue. After seeing the police, the woman hurried back to the home as police followed. While police were attempting to arrest the woman, Mr. Macomber interfered with them, according to a preliminary investigation. A struggle allegedly ensued and police used a department-issued taser to subdue Mr. Macomber.
After the tazing, Mr. Macomber was placed under arrest for assault and battery of a police officer, resisting arrest and interfering with a police officer. Mr. Macomber was then walked to a police cruiser.
Fall River Police, per department policy for when anyone is tazed, contacted Fall River Rescue to come to the scene. Fall River Rescue was en route to the scene when Mr. Macomber went into medical distress inside the police cruiser. Mr. Macomber was rushed to St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River, where he was pronounced dead at 1:20 p.m.
The state medical examiner’s office will begin an autopsy to attempt to determine the cause and manner of death tomorrow. Massachusetts State Police detectives and prosecutors from this office are currently interviewing witnesses and those involved in the incident. This office will conduct a thorough investigation into all the facts and circumstances of this incident, which will include information from the medical examiner’s autopsy results.
No further comments will made regarding this ongoing investigation until it has been completed.
Contact:
Gregg Miliote
Director of Communications
508-997-0711
774-292-9576—cell