Massachusetts Man Killed by Crossbow Bolt During Neighbor’s Pit Bull Intervention

A 27-year-old Adams, Massachusetts man died Wednesday after his neighbor accidentally shot him with a crossbow while attempting to drive off two pit bulls that were attacking him inside his apartment, the Berkshire District Attorney's Office confirmed. According to The Washington Post, the victim was identified as Joshua Jadusingh ^[1]. The incident unfolded just after noon on Feb. 5, 2020, when police received multiple 911 calls at 12:09 p.m. reporting a mauling in progress at 19 Bellevue Ave. ^[3]

Jadusingh had screamed for help as he tried to get away from two adult male pit bulls with whom he shared his home ^[1]. The neighbor heard a commotion and the victim, who was a friend, shouting for help just after noon, authorities said. ^[2] The neighbor made his way into the apartment, then returned to his own unit to get the crossbow, which he was licensed to own and used for hunting, Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington said at a news conference Thursday. ^[2] He stood at the bottom of a stairwell and fired up at a dog on the landing. The bolt struck the dog with a glancing blow, went through the door and hit Jadusingh in the room where he was trying to barricade himself, Harrington said. ^[2][4]

Inside the apartment, police found the body of Jadusingh, who had been killed by the crossbow bolt. A child, who was unharmed, was found in another room. ^[6] The dogs showed aggression toward responding police officers, who shot and killed both. ^[2] The dogs were said to have a history of acting aggressively. ^[6]

The death appears to be accidental, according to Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington. ^[2] The neighbor was a friend of the victim who had gone to his aid, Harrington said at the news conference Thursday. The death is under investigation, but the neighbor is not expected to face charges, she said. ^[4] Because weapons were discharged, the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit assumed the investigation, and the ongoing probe is being handled by Detective Lieutenant Ed Culver of the Massachusetts State Police. ^[5]

The case raises questions that legal observers may track closely, including the scope of a property owner's civil liability when animals under their care cause injury or death, and whether Massachusetts' dog-bite statute, which imposes strict liability on owners, could expose Jadusingh's estate or his survivors to claims from third parties. No civil action has been reported as of publication. The Berkshire District Attorney's office has not publicly indicated a timeline for closing its inquiry.

References

[1] The Washington Post. (2020, February 07). Massachusetts man dies after being accidentally shot by neighbor trying to save him from pit bulls. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/02/07/crossbow-accident-pitbull-attack-adams/

[2] CBS News. (2020, February 07). Man kills friend with crossbow while trying to save him from pit bull attack. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/man-kills-friend-crossbow-trying-to-save-him-from-pit-bull-attack-adams-massachusetts/

[3] The Boston Globe. (2020, February 05). Adams man killed by crossbow while trying to hide from pit bulls. https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2020/02/05/adams-man-killed-crossbow-while-trying-hide-from-pit-bulls/ZYNF6st58ycWEO2fqmRKZM/story.html

[4] Boston.com / Associated Press. (2020, February 07). Authorities release name of man killed by crossbow in Adams. https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2020/02/07/authorities-release-name-of-man-killed-by-crossbow-in-adams/

[5] WAMC Northeast Public Radio. (2020, February 06). Victim identified in Adams crossbow death amid dog mauling. https://www.wamc.org/new-england-news/2020-02-06/victim-identified-in-adams-crossbow-death-amid-dog-mauling

[6] BuzzFeed News. (2020, February 06). Massachusetts man killed with crossbow by neighbor trying to save him from pit bull attack. https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/juliareinstein/crossbow-killed-man-neighbor-pitbull-dog-attack