Police tape encircles the Finn residence Tuesday night immediately after the shooting. (WHAV News photograph.)
Bryce Finn. (Courtesy photograph.)
The family of the recent Haverhill High School graduate, who was shot and killed in the doorway of his Bradford home Tuesday night, are appealing to the public to provide tips to the police and allow the family to mourn peacefully.
“Our son, 18-year-old Bryce Finn, passed Tuesday night following a senseless and tragic shooting,” reads a Saturday statement from his family. “Authorities are investigating the incident and we are asking anyone with information to please contact the Haverhill Police. Bryce was a gentle giant, a sweet and kind child who loved and was dearly loved by his family, friends and all who knew him. Bryce’s passing leaves and enormous hole in our hearts, our family and our lives. We respectfully request that we be left to mourn the loss of our wonderful boy in peace.”
WHAV was the only news source at the Rainbow Drive crime scene Tuesday night and the first to report Finn’s identity and demise.
“A car pulled up. He came to the door and they shot him,” said one neighbor, who asked not to be identified. Similarly, another neighbor would only say, “I hope God is with him and his family.” Officials and neighbors declined to speculate on a motive for the shooting. Officials said the following morning they do not believe the shooting was “a random act.”
Finn was shot in the chest by an unknown gunman around 9:30 when he answered his door at 54 Rainbow Drive. He was taken to Merrimack Valley Hospital in Haverhill where he was pronounced dead, according to Carrie Kimball-Monahan, spokesperson for District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett.
His murder is one of three in the city within the first half of the year.
Meanwhile, Finn’s family is preparing for his calling hours Monday and funeral Tuesday. Visiting hours are Monday, June 12, from 4 to 8 p.m., at H.L. Farmer and Sons Bradford Funeral Home, 210 South Main St. The funeral service takes place Tuesday, June 13, 11 a.m., at Universalist Unitarian Church, 15 Kenoza Ave. Haverhill. Burial will be in the Mount Vernon Cemetery, Boxford.
He was born in Salem, Nov. 23, 1998, son of Meagan F. (Donegan) Finn and Chad M. Finn.
Finn enjoyed hanging out with his friends, and had an avid interest in current styles. He loved animals and brought home numerous pets over the years, according to his obituary.
Besides his parents, he is survived by his brothers Shane M. Finn and Collin C. Finn both of Bradford; half-sister Lexi Keogh of Portland, Maine; step mother Alison A. McKay of Bradford; maternal grandmother Barbara M. Donegan of Boxford; paternal grandparents Michael J. and Constance Finn of Haverhill; paternal great grandparents Raymond and Velma Cormier of Haverhill; aunts Kristen M. Donegan, Kerri A. Finn and Rebecca R. Finn, all of Haverhill, Kellee Donegan of Florida; Denise Forde of New Hampshire; his girlfriend Grace K. Murphy of Haverhill; as well as numerous cousins, great aunts and uncles. He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather Thomas J. Donegan.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Bryce Thomas Finn Scholarship Fund c/o Haverhill High School 137 Monument St. Haverhill, MA 01832.