WESTBORO, MASS. – A quiet Thursday morning in Shrewsbury turned into a tragedy after 57-year-old Kevin Doherty, a father and longtime resident, was fatally shot while confronting a man accused of spray-painting graffiti at a neighborhood park.
Confrontation at Jordan Pond
The incident unfolded just before 9 a.m. near Jordan Pond, shortly after Doherty dropped off his 6-year-old child at Coolidge Elementary School. Carrying his child’s scooter, Doherty reportedly came across 26-year-old Snehal Srivastava spray-painting a bridge.
Authorities say Doherty took a photo of Srivastava, which triggered a heated confrontation. Moments later, gunshots rang out. On the 911 call, Doherty could be heard gasping, “He shot me,” before the line went silent.
First responders arrived quickly and found Doherty suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to UMass Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Manhunt and Dramatic Surrender
The fatal shooting sparked a massive manhunt across the Shrewsbury area. Police deployed drones and tactical teams, eventually tracing Srivastava to a home on Edgewater Avenue covered in graffiti.
After a tense standoff, Srivastava walked into the street and surrendered to heavily armed officers. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Suspect Known to Authorities
Investigators revealed that Srivastava was no stranger to law enforcement. He had been involved in multiple prior incidents, including reports of erratic and aggressive behavior. Neighbors described him as a loner with a troubling presence in the community.
Graffiti scrawled across his residence included slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “BLM,” along with gang-related markings, which further unsettled local residents.
One neighbor recalled a recent confrontation in which Srivastava drove recklessly through a parking lot and shouted at bystanders.
Court Proceedings
Srivastava was arraigned Friday in Westborough District Court, where he pleaded not guilty to charges including:
- Armed assault with intent to murder
- Carrying a firearm without a license
He was ordered held without bail, with a dangerousness hearing scheduled for September 12. Prosecutors indicated that additional charges, including murder, may be filed pending the autopsy results.
Schools on Lockdown, Community in Mourning
The incident forced nearby schools, including Coolidge Elementary, into lockdown as police secured the area. Parents described the fear of receiving alerts just minutes after dropping off their children.
The Shrewsbury community is now mourning the loss of Kevin Doherty, remembered as a devoted father and neighbor. Vigils and memorials are expected in the coming days as residents process the shocking violence.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have emphasized that Srivastava acted alone and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. The investigation remains active as detectives piece together what led to the deadly encounter.
“This is a senseless tragedy that has devastated a family and shaken our entire community,” Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. said.
Kevin Doherty’s death has left an indelible mark on Shrewsbury — a community that now grapples with grief and unanswered questions following a confrontation that turned deadly in a matter of moments.