Suspect Arrested in Stabbing of Ex-Mayor Flanagan

Former Fall River mayor Will Flanagan was stabbed multiple times in the neck outside his Cosmopolitan Dispensary on Hartwell Street Monday and remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition. Police used surveillance and community video to identify and arrest a 31-year-old suspect early Tuesday, reported in multiple outlets under variant spellings as Corree/Corey/Coree Gonzales. Authorities say the suspect allegedly fled the scene and assaulted officers during detainment and now faces charges related to the stabbing as well as multiple counts of assault and battery on police officers. He is being held without bail pending a court-ordered mental-health evaluation, and police say the motive remains unclear as the investigation continues. Flanagan, who served as Fall River mayor from 2010 to 2014 and runs the Hartwell Street dispensary, has prompted statements of support from Mayor Paul Coogan and other community members.