Former Massachusetts mayor seriously injured in stabbing

The former mayor of a Massachusetts town is hanging on for his life after he was reportedly stabbed multiple times in the neck.

Will Flanagan, 44, served as mayor of Fall River from 2010 until 2014 when he was defeated in a recall election.

On Monday, he was stabbed at around 5pm near the 100 block of Hartwell Street in the city, which is 50 miles south of Boston, according to local police.

Police and EMS immediately responded to the scene, where they discovered Flanagan’s injuries.

He was taken to hospital after a source told the Fall River Times he was stabbed multiple times in the neck and is in ‘serious’ condition.

The suspect is still at large, with local officials still trying to identify the man who stabbed Flanagan.

‘On Behalf of the City and the department, Our deepest sympathies and well wishes are with Mr. Flanagan, his family, and his friends during this difficult time,’ they said.

Current Mayor Paul Coogan wished Flanagan well in a statement.

Will Flanagan (pictured), the former mayor of a Massachusetts town is hanging on for his life after he was reportedly stabbed multiple times in the neck

He was stabbed at around 5pm near the 100 block of Hartwell Street in the city, which is 50 miles south of Boston

Flanagan was taken to hospital, with a source claiming he was stabbed multiple times in the neck

‘My thoughts and prayers are with Former Mayor Will Flanagan, his family, and friends. The full support of the Mayor’s Office is with the Fall River Police Department as they work tirelessly to bring justice in this case.’

‘We stand firmly behind Chief Kelly Furtado, and the dedicated men and women of the FRPD as they continue this active investigation.’

Furtado added: ‘Our patrol officers and detectives responded swiftly and are working diligently to identify and apprehend who is responsible for this senseless act of violence.

‘We will exhaust every resource to ensure justice is served. I want to thank the Mayor’s Office for their continued support as we move forward with this investigation.’

Flanagan was an assistant district attorney when he was first elected mayor in 2009, at 29, the youngest mayor in Fall River’s history.

A recall over a ‘pay-as-you-throw’ trash collection policy and reports he threatened a city councilor with a gun forced his recall in a 2014 vote.

Since leaving office, he as returned to practicing as a lawyer.

A frequent poster on social media, Flanagan was engaging live on Facebook just hours before he was stabbed.