Arthur DaRosa, 28, of Taunton, kills two and wounds four others before being fatally shot by sheriff's deputy

TAUNTON — Two people were stabbed to death and the alleged assailant shot and killed in a violent rampage that started on Myricks Street and ended at the Silver City Galleria mall.

District Attorney Thomas Quinn confirmed during a press conference at the Taunton Police Department that the stabbing suspect — identified as Arthur DaRosa, 28, of Taunton, who was shot by an off-duty sheriff's deputy — and two of his victims have died.

According to information stated by Quinn and a press release from the Massachusetts State Police, state police and Taunton police were on scene at the Galleria Mall in Taunton and a related scene at a home at 270 Myricks St. in Taunton, where multiple people were stabbed by an assailant.

The incident began with a two-vehicle crash shortly after 7 p.m. on Myricks Street, according to Quinn. DaRosa, one of the parties involved, then left his vehicle, a black Honda Accord, and went into the house at 270 Myricks St., Quinn said.

Once inside, he stabbed two women, one of whom died of her injuries, Quinn said during the conference. She was 80. The other woman he stabbed, according to police sources and neighbors, was the woman's daughter, who is being treated for life-threatening injuries at Morton Hospital. Neither woman's identity has been released.

DaRosa then fled the scene in a vehicle and ultimately smashed into one of the entrances of Macy's at the Silver City Galleria mall, Quinn said at the conference.

According to reports, the man then ran through Macy’s, knocking some people over.

Alexis Gaboury, 23, Taunton, said she was with her 2-year-old daughter in the Metro PCS store when people suddenly started running out of Macy’s and yelling to get out of the mall.

She said she then saw a black man run into the Metro PCS store and start attacking the employee behind the counter without provocation.

The rampage then continued at Bertucci’s restaurant.

When DaRosa got to Bertucci's, he armed himself with a knife from the restaurant, according to Quinn, and stabbed two people, one of whom died. The victim who suffered fatal injuries was a 56-year-old Taunton man, Quinn said. None of the victims' identities have been released.

Witness Craig Heelan said he was in Bertucci’s relaxing having a drink when he heard what sounded like a plate fall near the bar.

He said he then saw a man and a woman scuffling, and realized the man was stabbing the woman.

Several witnesses and police sources said one of the victims was a waitress at the restaurant who was pregnant.

A customer whom Heelan described as being in his late 50s got in the middle of the altercation and was stabbed in his upper shoulder/neck area.

He said another customer, who identified himself as an off-duty law enforcement officer, then got up and told DaRosa, “I have a gun, cease,” several times before shooting him once, disabling him.

DaRosa was then transported to Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, where he was pronounced dead.

“It’s just a hectic scene and it’s sad,” said Taunton Mayor Tom Hoye, who was on the scene Tuesday evening.

Hoye further described the situation in a later press release: "Such a heart-rending night here in our city. Words cannot describe how or why these things happen. Two innocent people have lost their lives in a senseless tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families left to pick up the pieces.

"I would like the thank the off-duty law enforcement officer who risked his own life to save the lives of others. His swift and brave actions prevented more tragedy.

"Thank you to the Taunton police, state police and police from surrounding communities for your quick response and professionalism. Thank you to our Taunton Fire Department and first medical responders for your rapid response and quick action. God Bless you all."

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