(Photo courtesy of Barbara's Myspace webpage)  Barbara Jean (Scolaro) Tassinari, age 29 was shot at least 12 times by her husband with two handguns in the driveway of their Quincy, MA home at 55 Pilgrim Rd.  Barbara leaves behind 2 boys, age 10 and 1 and her 3 dogs.  Barbara was a morning dog walker at the Quincy Animal Shelter.

Authorities said Tassinari, age 29, called the Abington Police on the 911 line around 10pm, declaring "My wife has been cheating on me, and I just shot her dead.  Please come arrest me...I'm sorry.

The youngest son was home but the older boy was with his biological father at the time of the shooting.

     (Photos courtesy of Gary Higgins, The Patriot Ledger)  Before police arrived, Barbara's older brother, who lived next door, arrived with a .32 caliber handgun, found his sister's body and forced Tassinari to the ground, holding the gun to his head while vowing to shoot and kill him.  Frank Scolaro, age 44, was disarmed at gunpoint by the police.

Barbara's father Francis, applauded his son for showing restraint and not pulling the trigger.  "I gave him a great big hug for not shooting him, That would have been two tragedies."

Police Chief David Majenski said he will not pursue charges against the victim's brother, who had a license to own and carry firearms.  The brothers weapon was confiscated by police.

Tassinari's parents also lived across the street from their son and daughter-in-law.

  (Photo taken from Tassinari's Myspace webpage)  Tassinari was issued a permit to own weapons several years ago and was given a license to carry a concealed weapon in 2004.  On Tassinari's myspace webpage, he described himself as a gun enthusiast and firearms safety instructor who loved "cars, guns, motorcycles, vodka and A/V equipment.

On the evening of April 22nd, Barbara spent time chatting with friends and family at her sisters house.  Barbara had brought along her youngest son and her new puppy.  Around 9:45pm Tassinari, called and accused Barbara of cheating on him.  After making the accusation, Tassinari demanded that his wife come home.  15 minutes later Barbara was dead.

John Tassinari was described as follows by Barbara's family:

He was a control freaks who used a cell phone to keep tabs on his wife

He was also "infamously obsessive.  He would need his hair shaved every Friday, he would wear shorts every day throughout the year"

He made sure his wife did not have any cash and would demand to see receipts for every purchase she made.

He called her frequently - dozens of times during the day - to ask her where she was and when she'd be home.

Barbara's family said that she was planning on leaving her husband, not for another man but because she wanted out of her marriage because of his obsessive controlling ways.

Tassinari has been described 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.  In high school Tassinari was a National Merit Scholar and a Karate standout who made headlines in his hometown newspaper for multiple academic achievement.

   (Photo courtesy of the Scolaro family)   Barbara graduated from Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree in 1996.  She was a star track and basketball player.  She worked for her brother's Thomas' heating and air-conditioning company in Rockland for a time, but at the time of her death was a stay at home mom.  The couple were married on November 6th, 2004.  Barbara met John two years before their marriage at a nightclub.

 (Photo courtesy of the Scolaro family) Barbara shown here with Zero, a Central Asian shepherd.

Zero and Chara being introduced to the Guinea Pig Brothers

Barbara wrote that Zero has always been interested in small things even as a pup

(Photo's courtesy of Barbara Tassinari's Chazhound Dog Forum CAOgirl blog)

Barbara's oldest son, Noah Driscoll , age 10 is staying with his biological father, while Frankie Tassinari, her 1-year-old has been staying with Barbara's parents.  Zero & Chara are now being cared for by a breeder, her bulldog, Bowser, is staying with Noah.

Barbara was an advocate against breed-specific legislation, which prohibited the adoption of specific breeds of dogs that are sometimes considered dangerous.  Barbara was against punishing responsible owners for irresponsible behavior of other owners.

The Animal Advocacy world has lost a true friend!

   (Photo courtesy of Tim Correira, The Enterprise)  Tassinari has pled not guilty in his wife's shooting  He is being held without bond pending a probable-cause hearing, which has been scheduled for May 14th.

Donations in Barbara's memory may be made to Domestic Violence Ended, Inc (DOVE Inc.), PO Box 690267, Quincy MA  02269.

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