Father, Son Identified In Foxborough Murder-Suicide

FOXBOROUGH, MA – A man who had been denied a gun license shot and killed his 6-year-old son before turning the gun on himself late Thursday night, authorities said.

It is unclear how 49-year-old William Scaccia Jr. got the gun police believe he used to shoot his son, Anthony Scaccia, and himself at an East Street home in Foxborough. Authorities said Friday morning they had a "fairly significant" history with the suspect. (Subscribe to Foxborough Patch for updates on this and other local stories.)

Police received a call from a neighboring residence in the unit block of East Street around 11:34 p.m. for what was initially believed to be a medical emergency, according to Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey. Inside, police found Anthony Scaccia suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to Norwood Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Morrissey said.

William Scaccia was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators recovered two shell casings and a note, believed to be left by William Scaccia, at the scene, Morrissey said.

Morrissey said there was also evidence of an accelerant upstairs and a burn spot on a rug; the boy's grandmother, who lives at the home, was able to extinguish the small fire before police arrived. Anthony Scaccia lived at the East Street home with his mother and grandmother, according to police. His father was not believed to be a resident at the time of the shootings.

William Scaccia sought a permit for a handgun in July but was turned down by Foxborough Police Chief William D. Baker and a district court judge on appeal. He had been arrested as recently as Sept. 16 and charged with assault while facing a pending charge of illegal possession of a firearm for a separate incident.

Police are investigating how he came into possession of the weapon he allegedly used to shoot his son and himself.

Baker described William Scaccia's domestic life and relationship with his family as "complicated." There had been a history of restraining orders, though none were active at the time of the deaths. It is believed Scaccia had previously lived at the East Street home.

Officials would not comment Friday on whether the Department of Children and Families had an open case on William Scaccia but said, "if there was, DCF has been notified." They are also working to confirm his claimed military background.

Anthony Scaccia was a kindergarten student at the Burrell Elementary School in Foxborough. Police said grief counselors will be made available for his classmates.

Photo: William Scaccia Jr., via Norfolk DA