24-year-old Seekonk man accused of three separate shootings on same night held without bail

A Seekonk man is facing several charges after being accused of three separate shootings on Thursday night.

According to police, at approximately 10:45 p.m., the Seekonk Police Department received a 911 call from a motorist who reported the vehicle they were operating had been fired upon while being chased by an unknown vehicle on Newman Avenue. The caller told the 911 operator that a bullet had struck and shattered the rear window. The victim was able to drive into nearby Pawtucket, RI and get away from the assailant.

The caller described the shooter’s vehicle as a large, dark colored SUV. Multiple patrol units were dispatched to the area. At approximately 11:13 p.m., a second 911 call was received reporting another incident of shots fired on Border Avenue in Seekonk. The caller reported that a vehicle parked at their residence had been “shot up”. More information was gathered which gave police a better description of the shooter’s vehicle.

Shortly after the second 911 call, Patrol Officers located the shooter’s vehicle while enroute to the area of Border Avenue. Once backup arrived, Officers performed a felony motor vehicle stop of the suspect vehicle in the area of Central Avenue and Edwards Avenue. Ultimately, the suspect was taken into custody without incident. Among the items found in the suspect’s vehicle was a 22-cal. handgun in addition to multiple spent shell casings.

At approximately 11:32 p.m., the Police Department received a third call regarding the same suspect firing upon an occupied vehicle on Pine Street. This report was delayed, and it is believed to have occurred prior to the first reported shooting on Newman Avenue.

The Seekonk Police Department’s Detective Division was activated for further investigation. The Detective Division, with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Division, processed multiple scenes. In addition, the Detective Division executed a search warrant on the suspect’s residence, located at Kent Drive in Seekonk. The search yielded multiple firearms in various stages of production, commonly referred to as “ghost guns”, including materials and tools for the production of an AR-15 style rifle. An assortment of ammunition was located as well.

24-year-old Joshua Furtado of Kent Drive Seekonk was charged with Armed Assault to Murder (2 counts), Assault with Dangerous Weapon (2 Counts), Unlawful Possession of Firearm, Discharge Firearm within 500’ of a Dwelling (3 counts), and Vandalize Property (3 counts).

Additional charges are expected as this investigation continues.

According to Bristol County DA Thomas Quinn, Furtado was arraigned Friday afternoon in Taunton District Court. He was ordered held without bail for a Dangerousness Hearing, scheduled for July 19.

Police stated that this case remains a very active and ongoing investigation, with the exact motives for the shootings remaining unknown at this time. The suspect was transported to Taunton District Court for arraignment.