On the morning of August 28, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, that left a community in shock and a family grieving. Kevin Doherty, a 56-year-old father, was fatally shot near Jordan Pond after confronting 26-year-old Snehal Srivastava, who was allegedly spray-painting graffiti on a bridge. The altercation, which began over a seemingly minor issue, escalated rapidly, resulting in Doherty’s death and Srivastava’s arrest. This devastating event has sparked discussions about public safety, community vigilance, and the consequences of confrontations gone wrong.
The Incident: A Fatal Confrontation at Jordan Pond
The events leading to Kevin Doherty’s death began shortly before 8:50 a.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2025, near Jordan Pond in Shrewsbury. Doherty, who had just dropped off his 6-year-old son at Calvin Coolidge Elementary School, was walking back home along a pathway near the pond. According to authorities, Doherty noticed Srivastava spray-painting graffiti on a footbridge at the Jordan Pond Walking Trail. The graffiti included phrases such as “Coolidge Street Crips,” which had been reported in the area the previous day.
Doherty, using his cellphone, took photographs of Srivastava and the graffiti, an action that reportedly sparked a heated altercation. As Doherty called 911 to report the vandalism, the situation escalated. During the call, dispatchers heard gunshots, and Doherty was heard exclaiming, “He shot me,” before the line went silent. Shrewsbury police responded swiftly, arriving at the scene to find Doherty suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite being rushed to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Doherty succumbed to his injuries.
A witness near Jordan Pond corroborated the sequence of events, reporting that Doherty and Srivastava were arguing, possibly over a scooter Doherty was carrying, before Srivastava pulled out a firearm and shot Doherty multiple times. The suspect then fled the scene on foot, prompting a large-scale police response involving multiple agencies, including Auburn, Boylston, Grafton, Northborough, Westborough, and Massachusetts State Police.
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Using drones, Shrewsbury police located Srivastava barricaded inside a home at 29 Edgewater Avenue, a short distance from the shooting site. After negotiations with the State Police Tactical Operations Team, Srivastava surrendered without further incident. The photographs on Doherty’s phone, taken just minutes before the 911 call, played a crucial role in identifying Srivastava.
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One image showed a scooter, and another captured Srivastava spray-painting the ground, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, green sweatpants, Nike Air Max-style sneakers, large hoop earrings, and a purple bandana. These details matched the clothing Srivastava was wearing when arrested, further linking him to the crime. Police also recovered a white can of spray paint and matching clothing during a search of Srivastava’s home.
The Suspect: Snehal Srivastava’s Troubled History
Snehal A. Srivastava, a 26-year-old Shrewsbury resident, was arraigned in Westborough District Court on August 29, 2025, facing charges of armed assault with intent to murder and two counts of carrying a firearm without a license. Authorities have indicated that additional charges may be filed pending the completion of Doherty’s autopsy.
During the arraignment, Srivastava pleaded not guilty, and at the request of his defense attorney, Laurel Singer, he was kept out of view of news cameras due to concerns about identification. Srivastava was ordered held without bail, with a dangerousness hearing scheduled for September 12, 2025.
Srivastava has a documented history with law enforcement, with Shrewsbury police noting interactions dating back to 2015. Court records reveal prior incidents, including a 2020 charge of assault and battery for allegedly attacking his brother. In 2022, Srivastava was arrested by Westborough police after an altercation at the abandoned Regal Cinema parking lot on Turnpike Road. According to reports, Srivastava attempted to run over a man with his car and then brandished a machete, cutting the man’s hand before fleeing.
He was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct, assault with a dangerous weapon, and mayhem, and was held on a $10,000 bond. Srivastava’s home at 29 Edgewater Avenue has drawn attention for its exterior, which is covered in spray-painted slogans such as “Free Palestine,” “Free Congo,” “BLM,” and “Ganga Gardens.” Neighbors described Srivastava as a loner who used graffiti to express his views, with one resident, Mike Perna, stating, “We thought maybe he was just keeping to himself, wanted to broadcast how he felt about things, but never thought this would happen.”
Reports also indicate that Srivastava identifies as transgender and uses the name “Sasha Shakur” on social media, a detail noted by authorities and media outlets. This history of confrontational behavior and criminal activity paints a complex picture of the suspect, raising questions about the factors leading to the deadly encounter with Doherty.
The day before the shooting, Shrewsbury police had responded to a report of graffiti on the Jordan Pond trail, where “Coolidge Street Crips” was painted on the ground. Similar phrases appeared on Srivastava’s home, suggesting a pattern of vandalism in the area. The community had noted an increase in graffiti, with phrases like “Calvin Coolidge Crip” and the initials “CC” appearing along the trail leading to the bridge where the shooting occurred. These incidents highlight a recurring issue of vandalism that may have contributed to the tensions culminating in the tragedy.
Community Impact and Broader Implications
The shooting of Kevin Doherty has left the Shrewsbury community reeling, particularly in the quiet Edgewater Avenue neighborhood near Jordan Pond. The incident prompted a lockdown at Calvin Coolidge Elementary School, where Doherty’s son was attending, as police conducted their manhunt. Shrewsbury Select Board member Beth Casavant clarified that the shooting was not connected to the school itself, but the proximity of the violence to a place of learning has heightened concerns about safety.
Residents have expressed shock and grief, with many struggling to process how a routine act of dropping off a child at school could lead to such a tragic outcome. Doherty’s family, visibly distraught at the arraignment, has requested privacy as they mourn. The incident has also sparked broader discussions about the risks of confronting individuals engaged in illegal activities, such as vandalism, and the potential for such encounters to escalate unpredictably.
The graffiti that triggered the altercation—bearing slogans like “Free Palestine,” “Free Congo,” and “BLM”—has drawn attention to the intersection of personal expression and public spaces. While some residents viewed the graffiti as a form of protest or self-expression, others saw it as a blight on the neighborhood. The incident underscores the challenges communities face in balancing free expression with maintaining public order, particularly when such actions provoke confrontations.
From a public safety perspective, the shooting raises questions about gun control and the accessibility of firearms to individuals with a history of criminal behavior. Srivastava’s possession of a firearm without a license highlights gaps in enforcement, as Massachusetts has stringent gun laws. The case may prompt renewed scrutiny of how authorities monitor individuals with prior violent offenses and whether additional measures are needed to prevent such tragedies.
The Shrewsbury Police Department’s use of drones to locate Srivastava demonstrates the increasing role of technology in law enforcement. The swift apprehension of the suspect, facilitated by drone surveillance and coordination with multiple agencies, underscores the effectiveness of modern policing tools in responding to crises. However, it also raises questions about privacy and the extent to which such technologies are deployed in residential areas.
As the legal process unfolds, the community is left to grapple with the loss of Kevin Doherty, a father who was simply walking home after ensuring his son’s safety. The incident serves as a somber reminder of how quickly disputes can escalate and the devastating consequences that can follow. For Shrewsbury, a town known for its quiet streets and close-knit community, the shooting has shattered a sense of security, prompting residents to reflect on how to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
In conclusion, the fatal shooting of Kevin Doherty by Snehal Srivastava over a graffiti-related altercation is a stark example of how small conflicts can lead to catastrophic outcomes. The incident has left a lasting impact on Shrewsbury, raising questions about community safety, personal responsibility, and the role of law enforcement in addressing both crime and its underlying causes. As the case progresses through the courts, the community will continue to seek answers and healing, hoping to restore the peace that was so violently disrupted on that August morning.