Modern-day public altercations tend to follow an increasingly familiar formula.
Tensions escalate. A circle forms. Cell phones, cameras lit, turn toward the drama.
The drama escalates further. Violence ensues. Cell phone footage captures the fight. Police work toward obtaining the various vantage points prior (or following) the inevitable social media postings.
Cranston’s latest example — a weekend shooting as the community gathered to celebrate St. Mary’s Feast.
Following an incident Saturday night, a city man’s awaiting arraignment from his hospital bed on multiple charges after allegedly shooting himself in the leg.
“We are aware that several individuals filmed the incident,” according to a plea for information from the Cranston Police Department. “Anyone that witnessed the incident or has video is asked to contact Detective Jon Nelson at (401-477-5150), or by anonymously by texting keyword CRANSTONPD with their tip to 847411.”
The Shooting
Cranston Police Chief Col. Michael J. Winquist issued a press release Sunday, the day after the shooting at a city bar.
According to Winquist, around 11:20 p.m., Saturday, July 20, uniformed Cranston Police officers were working a security detail at 39 West (Restaurant & Lounge), located at 39 Phenix Ave., when they heard a gunshot.
“The officers then observed two men fighting,” Winquist wrote. “Officers immediately separated both men and observed a handgun in the hand of one of the subjects.”
Police identified the man with the gun as Michael Mancini, 28, of 84 West Hill Drive, Cranston.
“Officers took Mr. Mancini to the ground as he refused to release his grip on the gun and violently resisted arrest,” according to Winquist. “Officers were eventually able to subdue Mr. Mancini and seized the loaded handgun that contained a fifteen-round magazine. At that time, officers discovered that Mr. Mancini had suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his leg that was bleeding profusely.”
Cranston Police “immediately rendered emergency aid, including applying a tourniquet, until Cranston Fire and Rescue personnel responded to transport Mr. Mancini to Rhode Island Hospital,” according to the press release. “Mr. Mancini remains hospitalized and required surgery to address the significant injury to his leg.”
The Investigation
The criminal investigation continues, but initial inquiries by the Cranston Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit “revealed that Mr. Mancini had been involved in a verbal altercation with an individual at the bar,” according to Winquist. “He later approached the man to continue the disagreement. The other man became aware that Mr. Mancini was armed and began wrestling with Mr. Mancini as Mr. Mancini removed the gun from his waistband.”
Police said Mancini accidentally shot himself.
“During the physical struggle Mr. Mancini discharged one round striking himself in the leg,” according to police. “Mr. Mancini was searched after his arrest and was found to be in possession of cocaine.”
Police said Mancini had no license or permit to carry a concealed weapon.
Mancini will be arraigned in the hospital on the following charges: carrying a pistol without a license, possession of a controlled substance (schedule I-cocaine), firing in a compact area, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, large capacity feeding device prohibited and carrying a weapon while under the influence of liquor or drugs.
“I am proud of the actions of all of the officers who immediately took action to physically restrain and remove a firearm from an individual who had just placed everyone at the venue in danger,” Winquist said. “The officers who rendered life-saving aid using their tactical medical training and equipment should also be commended. They likely saved the lives of innocent bystanders, as well as Mr. Mancini’s life.”
The bar was closed that night and remained closed the following day, according to the mayor’s office.
“While the Cranston Police Department is still investigating the incident, a weapon was discharged in a brief altercation in the tented outside dining area,” Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins said in a press release. “Cranston police officers who were hired by the establishment and were present, quickly took control of the scene to prevent any further danger to the public and other patrons. I concur with the demand of the police department that the establishment remain closed on Sunday.”
The Feast
St. Mary’s Feast lured hundreds (if not thousands) to their weekend festivities. Attendees packed the neighborhood, celebrating the feast’s 119th year.
Hopkins issued a separate press release following the incident, stressing that the shooting and the feast were not connected.
“This incident occurred on private property outside the general area of the St. Mary’s Feast Society activities,” Hopkins said in the press release. “At this time, I expect that the full schedule of activities for the St. Mary’s Feast will continue for the final day. I will be reviewing the plans for the final day of the feast with our police department leadership and feast society officers. We want residents and visitors to be able to safely enjoy the last day of this long-standing community celebration.”
According to Winquist, the feast wrapped up Sunday without any other major incidents.
“There were a few other arrests during the event for disorderly conduct, which is not unusual for crowds of that size,” Winquist said Monday morning. “Overall there were no incidents of significance.”
Meanwhile, Winquist said no booking photo was available for Mancini “as he remains hospitalized” and “had not yet been arraigned.”
“He will likely be in the hospital for weeks,” Winquist said.
According to the Cranston Police arrest log, besides Mancini’s self-inflicted gunshot wound, between July 19 and 21, there were at least five other arrests following disturbances at the St. Mary’s Feast.
On July 19, Cranston Police arrested Mya Angell, 18, of Johnston, for simple assault, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. Shortly after midnight, July 20, police arrested Albert DeRobbio, 30, of Cranston, for disorderly conduct, obstructing an officer in execution of duty and resisting arrest. Around 9 p.m., July 20, police arrested Dennis Sanford, 46, of Cranston, for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. At 11:58 p.m., July 20, police arrested Dean Antonelli, 21, of Cranston, for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. And then, at 12:19 a.m., July 21, police arrested Paul Burrows, 31, of Providence, for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
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