Latest in Stoneham Firefighter Shot Dead: Suspect Arraigned

The fatal shooting of a Stoneham firefighter Tuesday night is being investigated, but preliminary findings appear to show it "may have been an unintended consequence" of alcohol and playing around with a gun, officials said.

David Atherton, 24, of Stoneham was found dead when police arrived at a home on Congress Street in Stoneham around 11:10 p.m.

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Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan's office released a statement saying the preliminary investigation shows Atherton and another man, 23-year-old Patrick Riccardi-O'Connor, of Stoneham, were drinking and tossing a gun back and forth and pointing it at each other.

O'Connor arraigned Wednesday in Woburn District Court and charged with involuntary manslaughter and discharging a firearm.

Atherton was shot once in the chest, according to the DA's office. The firearm was registered to Riccardi-O'Connor; Stoneham Police have since revoked his license.

Bail has been set at $25,000. If Riccardi-O'Connor posts bail if must meet certain conditions, including a curfew and GPS monitoring.

The next hearing is scheduled Wednesday, August 3.

Atherton served in the Massachusetts Army National Guard and served overseas, awarded eight times for his service. He was appointed Feb. 11 of this year and graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy earlier this month, according to a statement by Stoneham Fire Chief Matthew Grafton.

Grafton issued the following statement:

The Stoneham Fire Department experienced a great tragedy this week, and today we are mourning the loss of a brother. Firefighter David Atherton was new to our department, but had already given a lifetime’s worth of dedicated service to his fellow man.

Firefighter Atherton was appointed on Feb. 11, 2016 and graduated from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy on June 10. He is a Stoneham native and 2011 graduate of Stoneham High School. He served with distinction in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, where he was a military police officer who deployed to Qatar in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2012 to 2013. He was awarded eight times during his National Guard career for his actions, including the receipt of the Army Commendation Medal.

Firefighter Atherton always wanted to help people. He was selfless and dedicated, and he overcame great tragedy as he lost both of his parents at a young age. I cannot help but feel that the best was yet to come for this young man, and we in the Stoneham Fire Department are still coming to terms with this loss.

Our brother will be buried with full military and fire department honors.

Stoneham Interim Town Administrator Bob Markel released the following statement:

Today, our community is coming to grips with a tragedy that resulted in a young man losing his life. Firefighter David Atherton was only 24 years old but had already served his country as a National Guard veteran and his community as a firefighter. On behalf of the entire community, I offer my most sincere condolences to Firefighter Atherton’s family and friends and his fire department family during this difficult time. I was very proud and moved by the fire department’s response overnight, as firefighters lined the roadway in a show of respect to their brother firefighter.