One year ago, a New Bedford detective was shot in the face. Where does his case stand?

NEW BEDFORD — A year ago, Detective Lavar Gilbert was working undercover.

It was a Monday night, and the 17-year veteran New Bedford police officer was in an unmarked vehicle. He was conducting surveillance in the city's south end, near the intersection of Rivet and Orchard streets.

Gilbert was assigned to the NBPD's Organized Crime Intelligence Bureau.

Gilbert's role in OCIB investigations

The OCIB primarily investigates drug cases. It targets suppliers who provide drugs to street-level dealers. The unit works closely with the federal Drug Enforcement Agency and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

OCIB detectives made a raid and arrest in May that netted 37 pounds of cocaine.

The unit seized nearly $1.3 million from two alleged drug traffickers in 2022, along with 830 grams of fentanyl and 28 grams of cocaine.

The lead investigator in that case was Lavar Gilbert.

Miraculous: Though shot in the face, New Bedford detective drove himself to the hospital

'Tireless commitment to his work'

OCIB Commander Lt. Justin Kagan said at the time that Gilbert had "a tireless commitment to his work in the narcotics unit."

Gilbert's career also includes being part of the OCIB team that took 16 pounds of fentanyl off New Bedford streets following a monthlong investigation in 2021. It was the largest such seizure in city history at that time. The drugs had a street value of $400,000.

Shot in the face, officer responds in 'miraculous' fashion

Police said about 8:30 that Monday night in July 2023, four shots were fired near the intersection of Rivet and Orchard streets where Gilbert was staked out.

Gilbert’s window was shattered, and he was struck in the face by a bullet .

It lodged in his sinus cavity.

Gilbert did not lose consciousness, but drove himself to St. Luke's Hospital, where he received emergency medical treatment.

Another man standing nearby in a crowd on the corner was also shot in the foot.

Police Chief Paul Oliveira later called Gilbert's response and subsequent actions "miraculous."

Gilbert was discharged from a Boston hospital four days after the shooting , though further treatment would be required.

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An investigation turns up a suspect

Police said Gilbert was not the target of the shooting.

An investigation was launched that included state police and ATF agents.

It grew to involve officers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Denzel Gomes was arrested in February as he stepped off an arriving international flight from Portugal at Logan Airport in Boston.

Police believe he was the shooter.

Suspect arraigned: New Bedford man, 18, held without bail in shooting of NBPD Detective Lavar Gilbert

Court date for suspect is coming soon

Gomes is charged with two counts of armed assault with intent to murder; assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury; assault and battery with a firearm; two counts of attempted assault and battery with a firearm; and carrying a firearm without a license.

He is being held without bail. His next court date is July 25 in Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River for filing of motions.

Prosecutors said Gomes initially fled the country to avoid prosecution.

Cheybane Vasconcelos-Furtado is also being held without bail in connection with the shooting. His next court date is Aug. 15 in Bristol County Superior Court in Fall River for status review.

Police believe he drove the car to the shooting. He was 20 at the time of his arrest last July.

Possible links: New Bedford detective's shooting tied to fatal shooting two weeks earlier

He is charged with two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, two counts of assault and battery by discharge of a firearm, two counts of wanton destruction of property over $1,200, and one count each of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon-serious bodily injury, carrying an illegal firearm and carrying a loaded illegal firearm.

Gilbert, who has declined requests for an interview, remains out on injury leave. There is currently no date for his return.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: One year ago, a New Bedford detective was shot in the face. Where does his case stand?