Deadly shooting leaves Mattapoisett neighborhood in shock

MATTAPOISETT — A deadly shooting in a quiet, close-knit neighborhood has shocked the Mattapoisett community. 

James Rizza, 57, died of multiple gunshot wounds after witnesses reported a shooting had occurred on Harbor Road on Tuesday, June 30. Neighbors said it was hard to believe such a violent incident occurred in their peaceful beachside community, where even police presence is a rarity.

Police arrested 33-year-old Nicholas Bottella, of Fairhaven, in connection with the shooting. He was arraigned the next day on 11 charges, including first-degree murder. This is only the third homicide to occur in the town since 1988, according to the FBI’s crime database. 

Lisa Clark, who has lived in the Harbor Beach neighborhood for 26 years, said Rizza was known in the community as a “hell of a nice guy” and is deeply missed.

Clark got to know him through his daughters, who would take care of her dog. She said now when she walks Daisy it takes her twice as long to finish their route. 

“Everybody's stopping and hugging and crying and talking and supporting, and the family honestly is relieved that they're here instead of home,” she said, explaining they have been living in Mattapoisett for the summer. 

She said Rizza’s violent death was baffling, but is thankful for Bottella’s quick arrest. According to officials, he was taken into custody after a police chase ending near Front Street in Marion the day of the shooting.

John Bernardi, a longtime resident, said he witnessed the chase on his way home from a farmers market with his wife that afternoon. As they drove on Route 6 back to Mattapoisett, he said a car came speeding past with several police cars behind it.

“At that time we had no idea it was emanating from here,” he said. “We come to the neighborhood, and there’s more police than I thought Mattapoisett had.”

He said the shooting was “a shocker” for a town with so few homicides and a neighborhood with no history of them. 

Massachusetts State Police and local law enforcement discovered upon investigation that Bottella was involved in a neighbor dispute with Rizza about a year before the fatal shooting. 

The specifics of their relationship and dispute remain unclear. 

Bottella is being held without bail and due back in court July 31 for a probable cause hearing.