A double shooting in Fall River on the bitterly cold evening of January 30, 2026, has left a community in mourning. Authorities received a 911 call shortly after 8:00 p.m. reporting a shooting at 431 Barnes Street, a residence near Route 24.
Upon arrival, police located the victims, 54-year-old Elizabeth Almeida and her 25-year-old son Nicholas Almeida, both suffering from gunshot wounds. While first aid was rendered at the scene, both victims tragically succumbed to their injuries after being transported to a local hospital.
The suspect, 54-year-old Arlington Cole, was found at the residence and taken into custody without incident. According to a press release from the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Cole was in a dating relationship with Elizabeth Almeida and was located at the scene in possession of a firearm. Officials state that the 911 call regarding the incident was made by a complainant who told dispatch he had shot his wife and son and that the gun was on the kitchen table.
Arlington Cole has been formally charged with two counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury. The Fall River Police Department has indicated that the investigation remains active and ongoing, with additional charges expected to be filed as the case develops. The fatal shooting is being investigated collaboratively by the Fall River Police Department’s Major Crimes Division, the Massachusetts State Police, and the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.
The home at 431 Barnes Street, which public records list as owned by Elizabeth Almeida, stood quiet in the aftermath. A neighborhood resident, John Sirois, who lives next door, said he did not hear any gunshots that night. He described a friendly, neighborly relationship with the family, exchanging occasional hellos and conversations about yard maintenance.
Nicholas, who went by Nick, is remembered by friends as a kind and generous person with a love for fishing. One friend, Elliot Cortes, described him as a humble and loving friend who embraced everyone. Those who knew Elizabeth and Nicholas have shared that they were exceptionally kind people, with Elizabeth remembered as a great mother who welcomed her son’s friends into her home. A fundraiser has been established online to assist with funeral expenses.
The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office has stated that the investigation is active and ongoing. Further details pertaining to the case will be released by the District Attorney’s Office as they become available. The Fall River Police Department has extended its condolences to the loved ones, friends, and neighbors impacted by this tragic loss of life.