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Seekonk Man Accused in Cranston Killing Crashes in Swansea, Leaving Two Dead

Police say the suspect remains in Rhode Island hospital custody pending arraignment.

Overview

  • Authorities identify the suspect as Demitri Sousa, 28, who allegedly shot 35-year-old Javon Lawson at a Legion Way home in Cranston around 8:34 p.m. Thursday.
  • Surveillance video, plate-reader data and a recovered .22-caliber pistol and ammunition link Sousa to the shooting and the white Infiniti sedan.
  • Around 12:18 a.m. Friday, Swansea officers saw the Infiniti speeding on Route 6 before it struck a 2022 Subaru Ascent on Route 136 that became engulfed in flames.
  • A man and a woman in the Subaru died at the scene, their names have not been released, and Swansea police say they were not pursuing the Infiniti at the moment of the crash.
  • Cranston police charged Sousa with murder and firearm offenses, expect him to face additional charges in Massachusetts, and are coordinating the multi-agency investigation.