New Bedford Police Detective Shot in Face Released From Hospital

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — The New Bedford Police detective who was shot in the face by a stray bullet during a shooting earlier this week has been released from the hospital, police said Friday.

New Bedford Police spokesperson Lt. Scott Carola put out a statement in which he said police are “grateful for the outpouring of support and well wishes from the public and surrounding law enforcement agencies” after veteran Detective Lavar Gilbert was struck in the face by a bullet in the area of Ashley Park on Monday evening.

Gilbert drove himself to St. Luke’s Hospital for treatment, and had been hospitalized since.

“It will be necessary for him to return for a follow-up procedure in the near future, however, we are happy to see that he has made great progress towards recovery,” the statement read.

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The incident itself remains under investigation “as detectives follow up on numerous leads,” Carola said. Police had previously said that neither Det. Gilbert nor any other NBPD officer was targeted in the shooting.

Carola encouraged anyone with information to reach out via the New Bedford Police website, Facebook page, or by calling 508-99-CRIME, which he noted can be done anonymously.