Fall River Man Arrested for Alleged Threat to Shoot Someone

FALL RIVER — Fall River Police responded to the area of Fulton Street recently in regards to a male threatening to shoot someone.

On arrival, Officers Ross Aubin and Tyler Andrade spoke to a 47-year-old female who stated that earlier, she had just sat down in her car and was adjusting her seat when her neighbor, 52-year-old Francis Dowling approached and demanded she remove her car from the area.

The victim stated she told Dowling that she was adjusting the driver seat and would be moving. She said Dowling became louder as he repeated his demands. The victim stated she told Dowling that if her father were here, he would not be speaking to her like that. Dowling replied that if her father were here, he would put a .38 bullet in his head.

The victim left her car and retreated home to report the incident. When she returned to her car, she found the windshield cracked.

When Officers Aubin and Andrade responded to speak to Dowling, he became belligerent, refusing to allow officers to check his person for weapons prior to speaking with him. Dowling was detained. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Dowling’s’ License to Carry had expired. As a result, all weapons would have to be confiscated. Dowling informed Officer Aubin that a .38 caliber revolver was under his pillow. Several other firearms were also located.

Dowling was placed under arrest on charges of vandalizing property, threatening to commit a crime, interfering with a police officer, possession of a large capacity firearm, improper storage of a large capacity firearm, and several additional firearms-related charges.

The original call came in to police on Wednesday, April 4 at approximately 10 p.m.

--Fall River Police