Wareham Suspect Asks to Be Shot, Threatens Violence Against Police

WAREHAM — An Onset man is under arrest after allegedly asking police officers to shoot him and then making threats against them.

On Sunday, November 10 at 3:26 a.m., Wareham Police officers responded to the area of Gray Street after receiving multiple 911 calls for a disturbance. At the scene, officers observed several people, with one male yelling at another person. Police say the male started aggressively moving toward Officer Justin Silveira, saying he wanted to be shot. 

The man, 33-year-old Joshua Russell of Onset, was placed into custody by Officers Silveira, Nate Aronson and Sergeant Steve Soqui. 

According to police, while being escorted to the cruiser, Russell threatened Officer Aronson by saying that he was going to “smash your face in and blow your head off.” They say Russell continued a string of vulgarities directed at the officers and had to be physically placed in the cruiser. 

Police say during the booking process, Russell charged and spat at Officer Aronson, needing to be restrained by several officers. 

Russell is charged with assault; disorderly conduct; disturbing the peace; three counts of threats to commit a crime; two counts of intimidation of a witness; assault and battery on a police officer; and resisting arrest.