FALL RIVER — Quick thinking by an attentive faculty member and a swift coordinated response by local law enforcement successfully resolved a security incident at Espirito Santo School on Friday afternoon, October 9, 2026.
According to a statement issued by Fall River Police Chief J.T. Hoar, an unauthorized adult male entered the school at approximately 1:30 p.m. through an exterior door that was later found to have a malfunctioning locking mechanism. The individual walked a short distance into the building before being immediately recognized as an unauthorized visitor by a vigilant staff member.
The faculty member promptly confronted the individual and escorted him out of the building without incident. School administrators moved quickly to secure the affected entrance and cooperated fully with the subsequent police investigation. Authorities confirmed that at no point during the incident was there any physical confrontation, threat of violence, or injury to any students or staff.
Following a thorough review of surveillance footage and interviews with school personnel, Fall River Police identified the individual as 37-year-old Joshua Halladay. On the morning of Saturday, October 10, officers successfully located and apprehended him. Because police observed signs that Halladay may have been experiencing a behavioral health crisis, he was transported to a local hospital for an evaluation. He has also been officially charged in connection with the unauthorized entry.
In response to the incident, the Fall River Police Department announced plans to increase its presence around all local schools to offer reassurance to families and underscore a visible commitment to student safety. While the event took place at a private parochial institution, police have also briefed leadership at Fall River Public Schools, local charter schools, and Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School as a preventative measure.
Chief Hoar commended the swift actions of the school faculty and administration, emphasizing that school safety remains a shared priority across all educational facilities in the city.
