Newport, Somerset, Portsmouth, Middletown Police combine to arrest 3 concerning shooting where 20+ shots were fired, victim injured

Police in Rhode Island and Massachusetts combined to arrest several people believed to be responsible for a local shooting.

According to Newport Police, on Friday July 5th at just before 1:00 a.m., Newport Police officers responded to the area of Jade Way and Kennedy Road for a report of shots fired. Prior to officers’ arrival, a victim was transported to Newport Hospital by some friends. The victim was subsequently transported to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

Newport Police processed the scene and recovered over 20 shell casings. Newport Police Detectives developed information that there were multiple people on scene shooting multiple firearms and that 24-year-old Johnny Escobar of Middletown was allegedly involved in the incident. 

Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Escobar for Possession of Firearms by Certain Persons Prohibited, Assault with Intent to Commit Specified Felonies, License or Permit Required for Carrying Pistol, Firing in a Compact area and Disorderly Conduct. 

Escobar was taken into custody on July 8 by the Somerset Police Department. He waived extradition and was arraigned on July 9 in Newport District Court. He was held at the ACI as a probation violator for previous firearm charges. 

Detectives continued the investigation and determined efforts were made to dispose of one of the firearms used in the shooting in the days following the incident. Detectives from the Newport and Middletown Police Departments worked together and obtained a search warrant for a residence in Middletown. On July 10, members of the Newport County Special Response Team executed the warrant. A subsequent search of the residence revealed a 9mm handgun. Kenneth Jenkins Jr. was arrested at the residence and charged by the Middletown Police Department on firearms related charges. He was also charged by the Newport Police Department for Compounding or Concealing a Felony, Conspiracy, Assault with Intent to Commit Specified Felonies and False Information in Securing a Firearm.

Jenkins was arraigned on July 11 in Newport District Court and held as a probation violator. He was on probation for previous firearms related charges. 

Detectives continued their investigation and obtained an arrest warrant for another individual, identified as Marc Washington. Detectives from the Newport and Portsmouth Police Departments worked together and obtained a search warrant for a vehicle and a residence in Portsmouth connected to Washington. 

On July 12, members of the Portsmouth Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle Washington was operating. He allegedly fled the motor vehicle stop and began driving in a reckless manner on West Main Road. Police elected not to engage in a vehicle pursuit at that time, but continued to search the area for Washington. He was located and arrested a short time later in Middletown. A search warrant was executed at his residence and evidence related to the investigation was recovered. Washington was charged by Portsmouth Police for charges related to fleeing the motor vehicle stop as well as Possession of Cocaine. He was subsequently charged by the Newport Police Department for Conspiracy, Compounding or Concealing a Felony, Assault with Intent to Commit Specified Felonies, Possession of a Firearms by Certain Persons Prohibited and License or Permit Required for Carrying Pistol. 

He was held overnight at the Newport Police Department and arraigned by a Justice of the Peace on July 13. Washington was on probation for a charge of 1st Degree Robbery and Breaking & Entering. He was transported to the ACI as a probation violator and will be arraigned in Newport District Court on July 15. 

This is an on-going investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact Newport Police Detective Walsh at 401-845- 5775 or pwalsh@cityofnewport.com.