The Fall River Police Department investigated an incident that occurred on Friday, October 9, 2026, involving an unauthorized individual entering Espirito Santo School.

 

At approximately 1:30 p.m., an adult male entered the school through an exterior door that was later determined to have a malfunctioning locking mechanism. The individual proceeded a short distance into the building before being confronted by an attentive faculty member who recognized that he did not belong there. The faculty member promptly escorted the individual out of the building without incident.

 

School administrators immediately took steps to secure the affected entrance and cooperated fully with our investigation.

 

At no point during the incident was there any reported physical confrontation, threat of violence, or injury to students or staff. Nevertheless, we take any unauthorized entry into a school seriously, regardless of the circumstances or the individual's intentions.

 

Through a coordinated investigative effort, including a review of surveillance footage, interviews with school personnel, and additional investigative measures, officers worked to identify and locate the individual.

 

On the morning of Saturday, October 10, Fall River Police officers successfully located and identified the individual as Joshua Halladay, Age: 37. During their interaction, officers observed signs that Halladay may have been experiencing a behavioral health crisis. He was subsequently transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.

 

Halladay has also been charged for his actions regarding the unauthorized entry to the school.

 

The safety and security of our schools remain a priority for the Fall River Police Department. We commend the faculty member for her attentiveness and immediate action, as well as the school administration for its prompt response and cooperation throughout this investigation.

 

We recognize that incidents of this nature can understandably raise concerns among parents, students, and school personnel. As an additional precaution, the Fall River Police Department will be increasing its presence around all schools to provide reassurance to families and maintain a visible commitment to school safety.

 

While this incident occurred at a private parochial school, we recognize the importance of sharing information and maintaining awareness across all of our educational institutions. We have notified our partners at Fall River Public Schools, Local Charter Schools, and Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School of the incident. Additionally, all Fall River Police Officers are being briefed on the circumstances to ensure they remain informed, vigilant, and prepared to address any concerns.

 

School safety is a shared responsibility, and our commitment extends to every school in our city, regardless of whether it is public, private, or charter. We will continue working closely with school administrators and our educational partners to reinforce security protocols, address potential vulnerabilities, and ensure that students, staff, and families can feel safe and confident in their learning environments.