A bonfire gathering in Rochester, Massachusetts turned fatal on the evening of April 7, 2023, when 41-year-old Justin Doberck of Mattapoisett was shot and later died at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford. The gathering included Doberck, his partner Haley Perry, and her brother, 34-year-old Cody Perry. The group had been drinking, and an argument about Doberck’s relationship with Haley escalated.

Fearing for their safety after alleged threats, Cody retrieved a legally owned handgun from a safe. Perry says the confrontation culminated when Doberck threw him to the ground and that he fired one shot. Responding officers found Doberck with a single gunshot wound to the chest; a black semi-automatic handgun, a magazine, and one spent shell casing were recovered.

Cody Perry was taken into custody at his home and charged with homicide. He expressed regret, calling it a crazy situation; his defense said Doberck had been abusive toward Haley and that the shooting was accidental with Doberck as the primary aggressor. Does anyone have information about the evening at the bonfire or the events that led up to the confrontation?