FALL RIVER, Mass. —

NewsCenter 5 sat down with former Fall River, Massachusetts, Mayor Will Flanagan on Thursday as he shared his experience of surviving a near-fatal stabbing attack .

On Oct. 20, 2025, Flanagan, who served as mayor from 2010 to 2014, was walking on Hartwell Street when he was stabbed several times by an unknown assailant.

Surveillance video showed the moment the suspect ran up to Flanagan from behind before making striking motions toward his head and neck.

Flanagan said he never saw the attack coming.

"I pop up to my feet, I walk over to wear [the senior housing facility is] ... the seniors told me I was stabbed," Flanagan told NewsCenter 5. "They convinced me to call 911 because I'm confused, I'm not sure what's happening."

Flanagan said he got on the phone wit

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