A morning walk turned deadly in a quiet Massachusetts park when a dispute over graffiti ended in gunfire. On Thursday, August 28, 2025, at around 8:47 a.m., 57-year-old Kevin Doherty was fatally shot near Jordan Pond in Shrewsbury after confronting 26-year-old Snehal Srivastava about spray-painting in the park. The tragic incident has left the community shaken and raised questions about public safety and local vandalism.
Doherty, a father who had just dropped off his 6-year-old child at Coolidge Elementary School, noticed Srivastava spray-painting on or near a bridge along the Jordan Pond Walking Trail. He took a photo of Srivastava, which sparked a heated argument. According to authorities, the confrontation escalated quickly, and Srivastava allegedly pulled out a handgun, shooting Doherty multiple times. During a 911 call, Doherty reported being attacked, and dispatchers heard gunshots as he cried out, “He shot me,” before going silent.
Shrewsbury police arrived swiftly, finding Doherty with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite their efforts to provide medical aid, he was rushed to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, where he was pronounced dead. The loss of Doherty, described as a dedicated parent, has deeply affected the tight-knit Shrewsbury community.
Following the shooting, Srivastava fled the scene, triggering an extensive manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including Shrewsbury, Auburn, and Massachusetts State Police. Drones, helicopters, and SWAT teams scoured the area near Edgewater Avenue. By 11:45 a.m., authorities located Srivastava at his home on 29 Edgewater Avenue, just a third of a mile from the park. After negotiations, he surrendered peacefully. A search of his residence uncovered a white can of spray paint and clothing matching the description from Doherty’s photos, which included an image of Srivastava holding a spray can.
Srivastava faces charges of armed assault with intent to murder and two counts of carrying a firearm without a license. During his arraignment on August 29, 2025, in Westborough District Court, not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf. He was ordered held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing on September 12, 2025. Prosecutors noted that additional charges may follow once Doherty’s autopsy is complete.
Court records identify Srivastava with he/him pronouns, though his attorney indicated his gender identity is still being clarified, citing social media activity where he uses the name Sasha Shakur.
The incident has spotlighted ongoing issues with graffiti in the area. Phrases like “Calvin Coolidge Crip,” “Free Palestine,” and “BLM” have appeared on the Jordan Pond trail and even on Srivastava’s home, prompting speculation about his motives. Just a day earlier, police investigated a report of graffiti reading “COOLIDGE STREET CRIPS” on the trail. This Shrewsbury park shooting has the community on edge.
Neighbors described Srivastava as a reclusive figure who had recently seemed agitated, with a history of minor run-ins with law enforcement, including a 2022 arrest for an alleged machete attack that was later dropped.
The shooting prompted a lockdown at Coolidge Elementary School, though officials confirmed the incident was unrelated to the school. Shrewsbury Police Chief Kevin Anderson called the event a “senseless tragedy,” offering condolences to Doherty’s family. Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. stated that the investigation continues to determine whether the encounter was random or if the two men had prior contact.
Residents expressed shock at the violence in their peaceful neighborhood.
“You see the graffiti, but you never expect something like this,”
Said one local. The heavy police presence, including armored vehicles, underscored the seriousness of the response to the fatal shooting.
