Intruder Enters Fall River Catholic School Through Malfunctioning Door

FALL RIVER (WBSM) — Fall River Police are investigating after a man entered a school without permission last Friday.

According to a police Facebook post, the incident took place at about 1:30 p.m. on October 9 at the Espirito Santo Parochial School on Everett Street. It is a Catholic school for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Alert Staff Member Intercepts Unauthorized Visitor

Police said that the man entered the school “through an exterior door that was later determined to have a malfunctioning locking mechanism.” The man only made it a short distance into the school “before being confronted by an attentive faculty member who recognized that he did not belong there.”

The man was escorted out of the building without incident, and school administrators then secured the door.

Fall River Police Chief J.T. Hoar said that “at no point during the incident was there any reported physical confrontation, threat of violence, or injury to students or staff.”

“Nevertheless, we take any unauthorized entry into a school seriously, regardless of the circumstances or the individual's intentions,” he said.

Get our free mobile app

Suspect Charged Following Mental Health Evaluation

The investigation led police to identify the man as Joshua Halladay, 37. When police went to speak with him on the morning of October 10, they observed signs he “may have been experiencing a mental health crisis.” He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and was also criminally charged for allegedly entering the school without authorization.

Fall River Police via Facebook

“The safety and security of our schools remain a priority for the Fall River Police Department. We commend the faculty member for her attentiveness and immediate action, as well as the school administration for its prompt response and cooperation throughout this investigation,” Chief Hoar said.

Fall River Police Increase Patrols Across City Schools

Hoar also said that the FRPD would be increasing its presence around all schools in the aftermath of the incident.

“School safety is a shared responsibility, and our commitment extends to every school in our city, regardless of whether it is public, private, or charter,” Hoar said. “We will continue working closely with school administrators and our educational partners to reinforce security protocols, address potential vulnerabilities, and ensure that students, staff, and families can feel safe and confident in their learning environments.”