Fall River gang member sentenced to prison for shooting at former rival gang member

A 27-year-old reputed Fall River gang member accused of firing shots into multiple residential building earlier this year was sentenced to serve up to seven years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Vincent Valois pleaded guilty in Fall River Superior Court this week to a multi-count indictment charging him with two counts of possessing a large capacity firearm, carrying a loaded illegal firearm, attempted assault and battery by means of a firearm, vandalizing property and carrying an illegal firearm.

On April 16, 2018, Fall River Police officers responded to shots fired at Building 15 of the Father Diaferio Village located at 220 Johnson Street. Upon arrival, officers located multiple spent casings in both .45 caliber (23) and 9mm (3), as well as live rounds of 9mm ammunition (2). On the next day, officers recovered two more 9mm spent casings, and two more live rounds of 9mm ammo.

A male and a female were inside of their bedroom when a bullet lodged just below their window. The male in the bedroom used to be involved in a rival gang to the one the defendant allegedly belongs to.

While investigating this incident, a call came in for shots fired in the area of Pulaski Street. At that scene, six 9mm casings were recovered in the roadway in front of Saint Peter & Paul Parish with the same head stamp as the 9mm casing found at the Father Diaferio Village.

Officers were able to recover surveillance footage in the area that showed a distinct white Chrysler 300 circling the Father Diaferio Village just prior to the shots fired. The car belongs to the mother of a Fall Rivere gang member with ties to Valois. A witness also reported a white car fleeing the area of Pulaski Street. Surveillance video showed Valois and a juvenile co-defendant approaching Building 15 just prior to the shots fired. Video also captured them fleeing right after the shots. The defendant is clearly seen to be carrying a handgun.

During a sentencing hearing held before Judge Mark Hallal, Assistant District Attorney Michael Cahillane argued for a six to eight year state prison term, while the defendant requested a more lenient three to five year state prison sentence. Judge Hallal sentenced the defendant to serve four to seven years in state prison.

“This is another example of senseless violence that undermines peoples’ sense of security and wellbeing in our cities,” District Attorney Quinn said. “This case, once again, highlights the importance of video surveillance which was a significant factor in charging the defendant and holding him accountable for his violent conduct.”