Suspect being sought by police in Attleboro shooting was driver in Seekonk clerk fatality in 2015

The shooting occurred on Oakland Avenue not far from County Square. The victim was taken to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence with injuries that were described as not-life-threatening.

Lacourse was identified as the shooter after an intensive investigation, and a warrant was issued by Attleboro District Court for his arrest, Deputy Police Chief Timothy Cook Jr. said.

“Jacob Lacourse is to be considered armed and dangerous, and should not be approached,” Cook said.

He is described as a white male with a shaved head and was wearing a gray hoodie with the words “BOSTON” on the hoodie and gray sweatpants. He may have been carrying a black/gray backpack, police said.

The alleged shooter knew the victim, they said.

Anyone with information on Lacourse is encouraged to call 911 or the Attleboro Police Department at 508-222-1212.

Lacourse was arrested for driving off after hitting Seekonk Assistant Town Clerk Karen McHugh in front of her Arcade Avenue home in Seekonk just before 10 p.m. on Jan. 30, 2015.

Then 24 and of Daily Street in Attleboro, he was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with death resulting. After pleading guilty, he was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in jail in April 2016. He had already served nine months awaiting trial.

Lacourse was also sentenced to a consecutive term of six months of a two-year jail term for driving to endanger. The balance was suspended for three years with probation. He was also fined $1,200.

After the sentence was announced in Fall River Superior Court, McHugh’s wife, Sandra Lima, stormed out of the courtroom and told reporters Lacourse deserved to be sent to a state prison for the 10-year maximum.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn had also been critical of the sentence, with his office recommending a 6 ½ to 10-year state prison sentence, followed by five years probation.

McHugh, who was well-known in town and an avid animal lover, had been walking home on the dark road after taking care of several of her pet cats in her garage. The sidewalks were covered with snow from a recent blizzard.

After the accident, prosecutors said Lacourse took parts from his car and hid the vehicle so he could not be linked to the crime. His lawyer said his client was concerned about the well-being of his girlfriend and their two young children.

An intensive search for the driver ended only after a family member of Lacourse went to police.