Central Falls Man Arraigned on Federal Charge Related to Pawtucket Shooting

PROVIDENCE – A Central Falls man wanted on a federal arrest warrant charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition in connection with a shooting in Pawtucket on April 7, 2020, during which a parked vehicle was riddled with bullets, was arrested today by members of the Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force and Pawtucket Police.

It is alleged that Jayquan Parker, 25, fired at least 22 rounds into a parked vehicle and nearby garage, and then drove off. Based on information developed by Pawtucket Police and gleaned from surveillance videos recorded in the surrounding area of the shooting, Pawtucket Police identified Parker as the alleged shooter. He was located and arrested by the Fugitive Task Force and Pawtucket Police on April 19, and arraigned on multiple state charges.

According to court documents filed in U.S. District Court, a review of the matter determined that prior to his arrest in connection with the April 7 shooting, Parker had been convicted and sentenced in Rhode Island state court on felony charges on multiple occasions. As a result, in addition to the state charges brought against Parker, for which he is currently free on bail, a federal criminal complaint was issued charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition.

Parker appeared today before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan on a criminal complaint charging him with felon in possession of ammunition and was ordered detained, announced United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, United States Marshal Wing Chau, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves, and Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police Colonel James M. Manni. 

A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case in U.S. District Court is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney William J. Ferland.

The Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force is run by the U.S Marshals Service along with the Rhode Island State Police. The Task Force is comprised of members from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Rhode Island State Police, and the Warwick, Cranston, Coventry, East Providence, Middletown, Pawtucket, Portsmouth and Providence Police Departments who work full time to track down and apprehend the most violent and dangerous fugitives both within the United States and Internationally.

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