Cranston Police Department Charge Two Suspects for Weekend Shooting

Rhode Island – Colonel Michael J. Winquist, Chief of the Cranston Police Department, announces that two suspects have been arrested and charged for a shooting that occurred at the Farmington Terrace Apartment complex in Cranston.

On January 23, 2016, at approximately 2:34 a.m., several 911 calls were received from residents who reported hearing gun shots in the area of the Farmington Terrace Apartment complex located at 151 Farmington Avenue. Patrol Officers responded and discovered an unoccupied vehicle parked in the apartment complex with several bullet holes. Also located in close proximity were multiple shell casings. Witnesses provided a detailed description of the suspect who fired the shots, as well as the vehicle in which the suspect fled from the scene. Surveillance video footage was also seized from a nearby business which captured the incident.

Members of the Detective Division continued the investigation which led to the arrest of Bertram Ware, age 34, of 161 Easton Avenue, Warwick, Rhode Island on January 23, 2016. A vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle was also seized from Mr. Ware’s residence. On January 25, 2016, Mr. Ware was formally arraigned in Third District Court in Warwick on the following charges:

 License required to carry pistol
 Firing in Compact area
 Vandalism
 Felony Conspiracy

Ware was also presented as a probation violator on a previous charge of Violation of a Restraining Order. Ware, whom had been released from the Adult Correctional Institution on January 21, 2016 after serving time in prison for the aforementioned charge, is also a known associate of Providence based street gang the “Oriental Rascals”. Ware was ordered held without bail and is presently being held at the Adult Correctional Institution.

Also arrested as a result of this incident is Luis Lopez, age 33, of 69 Superior Street (2nd floor), Providence, Rhode Island. Mr. Lopez was arrested this morning in the City of Providence by the Rhode Island State Police Violent Fugitive Task Force based on a Cranston Police arrest warrant. Mr. Lopez will be arraigned in the Third District Court this afternoon on the following charges:

 License required to carry pistol
 Firing in Compact area
 Vandalism
 Felony Conspiracy
 Possession of a Firearm After Being Convicted of a Crime of Violence

Lopez will also be presented as a probation violator for a 2013 charge of Possession of Heroin with Intent to Deliver (one ounce to one kilogram).

Based on the investigation, it is suspected that the motive behind the shooting was to enact retaliation against the owner of the damaged vehicle due to his relationship with Ware’s ex-girlfriend.

Colonel Winquist stated, “I commend the officers and detectives who investigated this shooting, as well as the witnesses who had the courage to come forward to offer their assistance. The reckless and violent behavior of these suspects endangered the residents of the Farmington Avenue neighborhood and apprehending them was of the highest priority of our police department.”