New Bedford Police Release Name of Detective Shot in the Face

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — New Bedford Police have released the name of the detective who was shot Monday night in the city’s South End, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

According to police, Detective Lavar Gilbert was working undercover in the South End Monday night, sitting in an unmarked vehicle in the area of the Rivet Street-Orchard Street intersection. Gilbert is a veteran detective assigned to the Organized Crime Intelligence Bureau.

At 8:45 p.m., shots were fired and Det. Gilbert’s window was shattered, and he was struck in the face. Police said he remained conscious and was able to drive himself to St. Luke’s Hospital, where he received emergency medical treatment. He was admitted to the hospital and remains in stable condition, police said.

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Soon after Det. Gilbert arrived at the hospital, police said an adult male arrived at the emergency room suffering from a gunshot wound to his foot that was not life-threatening.

“The circumstances surrounding his injury remain under investigation,” police spokesman Lt. Scott Carola said. “However, we can confirm that neither Det. Gilbert nor any of our officers fired their weapons.”

Carola said that at this time, there is no indication that Det. Gilbert was specifically targeted, nor is there reason to believe there is an ongoing threat to safety in the Goulart Square neighborhood.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said he has "full confidence" the shooter will be captured.

“We are relieved that the detective, who has ably served the department for many years, will make a full recovery, as it was an extremely close call," Mitchell said. "The department is aggressively investigating the matter, with the assistance of state and federal law enforcement agencies. I have full confidence that they will apprehend whoever was responsible for the shooting."

"This is a reminder of the risks police officers face everyday, and the importance of their work in maintaining public safety in our cities," he said.