VIDEO: 40-year-old Fall River man sentenced to jail after assaulting elderly couple at city gas station

A 40-year-old Fall River man who assaulted an elderly couple at a city gas station last September was recently sentenced to serve jail time, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Roderick Dixon pled guilty in Fall River District Court last week to charges of Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon on a Person over the Age of 60 and Assault and Battery on a Person Over the Age of 60.

Dixon was sentenced by Judge David Sorrenti to two years in the Bristol County House of Corrections with nine months to serve. The balance of the jail sentence was suspended for two years, meaning if he faces a new charge during this time, he would be liable to serve the remainder of the jail term.

On September 2, 2022, Fall River Police were dispatched to the New World Gas Station on Milliken Blvd. for a report of a fight. Two victims were on scene with injuries, but Dixon had left the scene. The female victim reported to police on scene that while her husband was arguing with a woman at the gas pumps, Dixon approached him and began hitting him in the head and continued to do so while he was on the ground. The female victim attempted to get between the two to stop the altercation, but was pushed away by Dixon, causing her to fall and injure her wrist. Both victims were transported to St. Anne’s Hospital. The male victim suffered a dislocated shoulder and the female victim had bones separated in her wrist.

Police observed surveillance video from the New World Gas station which showed the incident and showed that while the victim was on the ground and defenseless, Dixon walked over to him and punched him multiple times and stomped on him. At that point, Dixon walked away, but returned shortly thereafter to punch the male victim one final time.

Video of assault

During an interview with Fall River Police, Dixon corroborated being involved, stating he was coming to the defense of a young lady he alleged the male victim was yelling at, before the argument became physical. Dixon stated he “saw red” and kept punching the victim.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Zachary Ferris.

“This is another example of the senseless violence that occurs far too often in our society. I am pleased the defendant will be held accountable for his violent actions,” District Attorney Quinn said.