A Warwick man has been found guilty in Kent County Superior Court for a shooting incident that took place in 2021, which endangered a family with three young children. The announcement was made by Attorney General Peter F. Neronha.
Stephen Shoesmith, aged 49, was convicted on February 20, 2025, after a four-day jury trial presided over by Superior Court Justice Luis M. Matos. He was found guilty of four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.
“These assault charges could have easily been murder charges had the circumstances been only slightly different,” stated Attorney General Neronha. “We are supposed to feel safe in our homes, and while this young family wasn’t physically harmed, an event like this can certainly cause significant and lifelong emotional trauma. Let this verdict serve as a cautionary tale for those who might consider using a firearm in such a reckless and dangerous way. I want to thank the jury for getting this one right, and to the Warwick Police Department for their hard work on this difficult case.”
The State presented evidence proving that on August 6, 2021, Shoesmith fired two shots at a residence in Warwick. Police responded to reports of gunfire on Lincoln Avenue and discovered two bullet holes and .380 caliber projectiles inside the home. The occupants included a mother and her three young children.
Two days later, Shoesmith contacted police claiming he found a shell casing in his yard but denied hearing gunfire during the incident night. On June 17, 2022, authorities executing an unrelated warrant at Shoesmith's home discovered a .380 Taurus handgun and ammunition matching the projectiles from the crime scene. Shoesmith admitted to firing shots while intoxicated and planting evidence to mislead investigators.
“Those that handle firearms with reckless disregard for the consequences of their actions are a threat to our community,” said Warwick Police Chief Bradford Connor. “I’m glad justice could be served in this case. Thank you to our partners at the Attorney General’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution of this case.”
Special Assistant Attorney General John Malloy and Detective Terance McMullin led the investigation and prosecution efforts.