Warwick, RI – Warwick Police have arrested a 24-year-old West Warwick man for firing a blanks-only gun during a drive-by shooting Thursday night on Trent Avenue, targeting a girl he’d argued with on Facebook.
According to a release distributed Friday morning, police arrested Anthony James Dawson, 24, of 29 Tampa St. in West Warwick after finding him at the Motel 6 on Jefferson Avenue in Warwick.
A minor boy was also taken into custody. The juvenile was in possession of a handgun built to fire blanks only, which was used during the shooting.
According to police, Dawson and the boy conspired to target the girl, whom Dawson had been arguing with on Facebook. Police were alerted to the incident after responding to a report of a shooting on Trent Avenue at about 11:30 p.m. Thursday.
Police have charged Dawson with Conspiracy to Commit Felony Assault by Use of Device Similar in Appearance to a Firearm. He also has an outstanding arrest warrant for unpaid court fines on a charge of obstructing a Coventry police officer.
Dawson will be arraigned Dec. 5 at Kent County Courthouse.
Dawson’s minor coconspirator is also being charged with Conspiracy to Commit Felony Assault by Use of Device Similar in Appearance to a Firearm. He is being turned over to Family Court.
Author: Rob Borkowski
Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.
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