Fall River shooter sentenced to over a decade in prison

A 27-year-old Fall River man who shot another city man after a failed attempt to break into the victim’s vehicle, was convicted at trial last week and sentenced to serve 10 to 15 years in state prison, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Jesse Brule, was convicted by a jury of his peers after a three-day trial in Fall River Superior Court. The jury found the defendant guilty of Assault and battery by discharge of a firearm, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon-causing substantial injury, and carrying an illegal firearm.

During the pre-dawn hour of August 5, 2016, the victim was sleeping on his friend’s couch in a South Main Street apartment. The victim woke up after hearing noises outside. When he looked outside, he saw individuals with flashlights looking into vehicles.

The victim and his friend exited the apartment to confront the individuals outside. After pointing to the man the victim and his friend believe was attempting to break into the victim’s car, the defendant fled on foot.

The victim and his friend briefly gave chase to the defendant, before deciding to get in the victim’s friend’s vehicle to chase the defendant down. The pursuit eventually ended with the defendant ordering the two out of the car at gun point. Once outside of the car, the victim and his friend were held at gun point. The victim, however, attempted to lunge at the defendant to get the gun away from him. At this point, the defendant shot the victim once in the shoulder and once in the chest. The defendant then fled on foot.

The victim was driven to the St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River by his friend. After evaluation, the victim was transported to Rhode Island Hospital. As a result of the shooting, the victim has lost most of his hearing in his left ear, has restricted range of motion in his right arm, and scarring due to the entry and exit wounds. Despite his sever injuries, the victim has rebounded and is now attending college.

During the subsequent Fall River Police investigation, detectives found two shell casings for .45 caliber ammo, a spent projectile, and a passport for Jesse Brule were found at and near the scene. It appears as though the defendant dropped his passport while fleeing or during the struggle with the victim.

On August 22, 2016, the Defendant was arrested by Pawtucket Police Department in Rhode Island, and was found in possession of a loaded Glock .45 caliber firearm.

During a sentencing hearing held last Friday before Judge Rosemary Connolly, Assistant District Attorney Patrick Driscoll argued for a 13 to 20 year state prison term, while the defense requested a more lenient eight to 10 year prison sentence. Judge Connolly, after hearing from both sides, sentenced the defendant to serve 10 to 15 years in state prison.

“This is senseless violence caused by the defendant who initiated the altercation by breaking into the victim’s car. Fortunately nobody was killed,” District Attorney Quinn said. “However, the victim’s pursuit of the defendant after the car break is a clear example of why you do not take matters into your own hands. He could have been killed.”