Published: 6/3/2023 2:32:04 PM
Today around noon, neighbors in the area of 124 Elkins Street in Franklin called to report gunshots. First responders arrived and found Nicole Hughes, as well as her 1 ½ year old daughter Ariella Bell, deceased from apparent gunshot wounds.
Miss Hughes’ other child, a five year old daughter, was also shot in the right arm and suffered a laceration to her back. She is being treated for those injuries at a Massachusetts hospital. The injuries are believed to be non-life threatening at this time.
Through their investigation, police were able to identify a suspect, Jamie Bell, 42, also of 124 Elkins street. Mr. Bell and Miss Hughes were intimate partners. Both were parents of Ariella Bell, the infant daughter that was shot and killed. Mr. Bell, identified as a suspect, was seen fleeing the area of 124 Elkins Street on foot, and an intensive search began.
Around 5:30pm. Mr. Bell was found deceased on the bank of the Merrimack River in Franklin, in the area of River Street. At this time, it appears that he died from a self-inflicted cut on his neck, and an autopsy is scheduled for Sunday.
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