In the quiet town of Foxboro, Massachusetts, a heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded on the night of September 21, 2017, forever changing the lives of those who knew and loved a little boy named Anthony Scaccia. At just six years old, the Caucasian male was a bright light, a kindergarten student at Burrell Elementary School known for his big personality. He was described as a sweet, rambunctious boy, full of life, who was lovingly called the "mayor of kindergarten" by his teacher.
Anthony lived with his mother and grandmother on East Street, a place that should have been his sanctuary.
The night of his death began with a frantic knock on a neighbor's door. It was Anthony's grandmother, desperately seeking help. What the neighbor discovered inside was a scene of unimaginable horror. Anthony was found at the top of the stairs, having sustained a single gunshot wound. He was rushed to Norwood Hospital, but his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead. The tranquility of the suburban street was shattered, leaving a community in shock and mourning.
The perpetrator of this senseless act was Anthony’s own father, 49-year-old William Scaccia Jr. Investigators quickly determined that William had shot his son before taking his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. At the scene, a handgun, shell casings, and a note written by William were discovered, leading authorities to classify the event as a murder-suicide. Evidence also showed that William had attempted to set the house on fire by spreading gasoline in an upstairs hallway, but the small fire was extinguished by Anthony's grandmother before it could spread.
In the aftermath, a troubled history came to light. William Scaccia Jr. was known to law enforcement and had a significant history with the police, including a restraining order filed by Anthony's mother in 2013, in which she expressed fear that he would harm their son and himself. He had recently been denied a permit for a handgun and was facing pending charges for illegal possession of a firearm from a separate incident. Despite this, he managed to obtain the weapon used in the tragedy. His family revealed that he was a military veteran who suffered from mental illness, a factor they believe played a role in the devastating outcome. The community, heartbroken by the loss of a sweet little boy, came together to hold a vigil, remembering the young life that was so violently cut short.
