John Tassinari's Love of Guns Had Nothing to Do with Wife's Murder

April 30, 2008

"My wife has been cheating on me, and I just shot her dead. Please come arrest me. . . I'm sorry."

Twenty-nine-year-old John Tassinari spoke those chilling words to an Abington, Massachusetts police dispatcher last Tuesday evening, just moments after he shot his wife, 29-year-old Barbara Tassinari, over a dozen times, in what police have described as a jealous rage.

According to police, the couple, who married in November 2004, had no history of trouble with the law.

Tassinari has been described in the press as a science prodigy who excelled in high school and went on to graduate from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Following graduation, he became an engineer in his father’s machine firm.

Barbara graduated from Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree. From there, she went to work for her brother’s heating and air-conditioning company in Rockland. She also spent a lot of time volunteering at the Quincy Animal Shelter.

The couple had a one-year-old child together, and Barbara had a 10-year-old son from a pervious relationship.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Barbara's friends and family members have described Tassinari as an obsessive and controlling person who managed every aspect of his wife's life.

On the evening of the April 22 shooting, Barbara spent time chatting with friends and family at her sister's house. Around 9:45 p.m., Tassinari, who had reportedly been drinking, called and accused Barbara of cheating on him. After making the accusation, Tassinari allegedly demanded that she immediately come home.

Just 15 minutes later Barbara was dead. Police say Tassinari shot her dead in the driveway of their home, shooting her over a dozen times with both a .45-caliber and a .40-caliber handgun.

After placing the 9-1-1 call, Tassinari walked back outside, where he was greeted by his brother-in-law, Francis Scolaro, 44. Scolaro, who lived on the same street, had heard the shots and came running over. "You killed my sister!" Scolaro screamed as he pointed his own .32-caliber handgun at Tassinari's head...

Continue Reading About Barbara Tassinari's Murder

Image Credit: Contributed Photo

Comments

[ann walsh]

Thank you so much for your honest and insightful article. In the wake of my sister's death, it has been difficult for my family to trust the media as many reporters are soley interested in money and have once again completely exploited the freedom of speech bestowed in our great Constitution. The writing you do is very important in helping Americans rethink this modern day living in which we are all just too comfortable in.
After so many ludicrous articles, yours was refreshing to read and I thank you for that.

[David Lohr]

Hello Ann,

I know there is little I can say to ease your pain but please know that your family is in my thoughts. It is never easy covering a story like this. The victim's are all too real to me and while there is something new to cover every day, a part of each story always remains with me.

Please stay strong. Your sister would want that.

Regards,

David Lohr