*Trigger Warning: Murder and suicide
REACH is saddened and distressed to learn of a recent murder-suicide which took place earlier this week in Watertown, MA. Reports confirm that two women, who were identified as Nadia Abrahamian and Karine Asatryan, were shot and killed by a male perpetrator, identified as David Minasvand, who then took his own life.
Asatryan and Minasvand were in a relationship and living with their newborn baby in the lower unit of an apartment building where Abrahamian lived in the upper unit. Minasvand used a legally obtained .45-caliber pistol to commit the shootings. His firearms license was issued in August 2024. The couple’s baby was not present during the incident and is currently safe and unharmed.
Neighbors and community members described the household as a peaceful, pious, and close-knit “blended Armenian family.” The St. James Armenian Church is arranging a joint funeral for all three victims. While authorities have stated that this was an isolated event and that there is no danger to the wider community, REACH Executive Director Amarely Gutiérrez Oliver offered these words in response to the shooting:
“This tragic murder–suicide in Watertown is not just an isolated act — it is part of the broader pattern of domestic violence. It reminds us that abuse devastates families and communities, leaving lasting harm. We honor the lives lost by recommitting ourselves to prevention, supporting survivors, and building communities where everyone can live free from violence.”
Ruth Zakarin, CEO of the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, offered her own condolences to the families and community members affected by the shooting, while also reinforcing the need to factor domestic violence into the larger gun violence conversation:
"We were devastated to learn of the murder/suicide in Watertown, and our hearts are with everyone who has been impacted by this shooting. As we have seen way too often, the intersection of domestic violence and easy access to guns ends in tragedy — including in Massachusetts communities.
Research shows that the presence of a gun in the home increases the potential of lethality five-fold in homes where domestic violence is occurring. The work to end gun violence must include a lens on addressing domestic violence, and we cannot fully protect survivors of domestic violence without addressing the prevalence of guns in our society."
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, please don’t hesitate to call REACH’s 24/7 hotline at 800-899-4000. You can also help to prevent future gun-related tragedies by supporting organizations such as the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, Everytown for Gun Safety, and Sandy Hook Promise.
