FOXBORO, MASS. (WHDH) - A man fatally shot his young son late Thursday night inside a home in Foxborough before turning the gun on himself, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morissey announced Friday morning.
Local police responded just before midnight to 79 East Street after a 911 call reporting a medical emergency and found two people dead inside the home. They then requested backup from the Massachusetts State Police and found a flammable liquid that had been spread around in the home.
Morissey says William Scaccia, 49, murdered his young son, Anthony, with a handgun before killing himself. He says Scaccia was found dead in a bed from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Anthony was said to be in kindergarten.
“First responders came to scene and located 6-year-old Anthony Scaccia, suffering from single gunshot wound. He was taken to Norwood Hospital, where he was pronounced dead,” Morissey said.
Foxborough Police Chief William Baker says Scaccia tried to set the home on fire, but the boy’s grandmother put the blaze out as she called police. Officers found a burned carpet upon arrival at the scene and a gas-like substance in the hallways and on the stairs.
The boy’s mother was at work when the incident played out, according to police. No other injuries were reported.
Baker says Scaccia was denied a gun permit in July and that he was known to police. He was arrested on Sept. 16 on firearm charges.
“As far as we know, he was not living at the house at the time,” Bakers said of Scaccia. “We’ve had a fairly significant history. The most critical part of this story in my opinion is the loss of this innocent child.”
At this time, it’s not clear how Scaccia gained access to the home. Police say an apparent suicide note was found at the scene. It’s not clear what the note said.
“We have recovered a note. It makes it easier for us to at least make the conclusion that this a murder-suicide,” Morissey said.
A neighbor says he ran to the home after hearing the boy’s grandmother cry for help and made the horrifying discovery.
“I was freaking out when I saw what appeared to be a body at the top of the stairs. I checked his pulse to see if he was still breathing,” Richard Shane said.
Another neighbor says the boy was heard earlier in the day playing and laughing in the yard.
“I literally just heard him laughing, playing and giggling in the backyard. I can’t even believe it,” a woman told 7News.
The woman says residents in the area were aware of a history of domestic violence between Scaccia and the boy’s mother.
“I guess they separated a couple month of month ago, but he was crazy. I remember hearing him yelling over there,” the woman said.
An investigation is ongoing at this time.
Authorities released a mugshot of William Scaccia, which was taken during a prior arrest:
Watch Michael Morissey’s full press conference below:
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