WESTPORT — Joan Murphy of Fall River has been upgraded to stable but serious condition as of Tuesday morning at Rhode Island Hospital where she is being treated for two gunshot wounds fired by her estranged husband Sunday night at the Oriental Pearl restaurant, 576 State Road in Westport.
Greg Miliote of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office said on Tuesday that Joan Murphy, 57, had been dining at the restaurant with some friends when her estranged husband, Paul Murphy, 64, of Fall River, entered the restaurant just before 11 p.m.
“He walked through the room looking for her, saw her and had a brief conversation with her, and then shot her,” Mr. Miliote said. He would not disclose what the couple said to each other.
Ms. Murphy was critically injured by multiple shots. The D.A.’s office would not comment on where she had been shot. She was taken to Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, and then transferred to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, where she was listed in critical condition on Sunday night.
More than a dozen people were in the restaurant when the shooting took place, Mr. Miliote said. On Sunday nights, the Oriental Pearl offers karaoke. Music was playing and people were singing when Mr. Murphy shot Ms. Murphy with a handgun (the caliber was not released).
Shawn O’Domski told WPRI TV-12 what he had witnessed.
“I heard a pop, which sounded like a balloon pop or a firecracker,” Shawn O’Domski said. “I see the woman on the ground, laying on her side. Then, I see the man standing over her, pointed the gun at her, fired a second shot. And then I saw him point the gun at his head, fire it and he was done.”
Paul Murphy died as a result of the self-inflicted gun shot, according to the D.A.’s office. He was dead by the time police arrived.
The DJ working at the restaurant that night, Mike Nutbrown, told WJAR TV-10 that he is a friend and neighbor of Joan Murphy.
“It sounded like a big balloon that popped. I looked up, someone was over my friend, Joan,” Mr. Nutbrown said. “And he shot her again, and then he takes a few steps back and he shot himself.”
Neighbors told reporters that the couple has been married for nearly 40 years. Mr. Miliote, the director of communications for the D.A.’s office, said that Mr. Murphy and Ms. Murphy were living in separate residences and were undergoing divorce proceedings.
Mr. Murphy was a retired correctional officer for Massachusetts, Mr. Miliote said. Mr. Murphy has no record of criminal charges from local agencies, Mr. Miliote said.
Mr. Miliote said that at this time, “It is difficult to speculate on a motive, especially when the potential defendant is deceased.”
An investigation is being conducted by the D.A.’s office, the State Police Unit assigned to the D.A.’s office, and the Westport Police Department.
Read shooting investigation to learn what investigators have concluded in the investigation.
Alcohol+tough guy correctional officer attitude+arrogant nasty spiteful @*&#^! attitude=tragedy.
Case solved. Didn't take an over-paid union cop to figure that out. Duh.
AKA, you don't know alcohol was involved. Otherwise, I agree with you.
Typical comment by Dan "AKA Watchman" Gordon-making the snide remark about "overpaid union cops". Just what we've come to expect from the world's #1 union hater-what a loser.
It seems like anyone who is making a living is over-paid by AKA Watchmen. Do you know how much he gets a hour? I know that correctional officers are under paid. It sounds like you were in the A.C.I.
New name, same game!
A man is dead and a woman is critically injured. Can we please skip the omnipresent union bashing and personal sniping just for once? Where is your sense of human dignity?
