West Warwick man charged with domestic assault and firearms charges

An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that a West Warwick man has been charged in Kent County Superior Court with several domestic assault and firearms charges following his arrest on September 18, 2023 by West Warwick Police.

On March 6, 2024, the Office of the Attorney General charged David Lachance (age 36), by way of criminal information, with one count of domestic assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of using a firearm when committing a crime of violence, one count of possession of a large capacity magazine, one count of domestic simple assault, one count of domestic disorderly conduct, and one count of domestic refusal to relinquish a telephone for an emergency call.

As alleged in the criminal information, on September 18, 2023, West Warwick Police responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at a residence on Carlton Place. Upon arrival, the victim told officers that she and the defendant got into an argument, during which the defendant held a handgun to her head, bit her, shoved her, and threw her cell phone into the woods when she tried calling the police. The defendant then fled on foot and the victim went to her neighbor’s residence to contact the authorities.

As further alleged, officers observed injuries consistent with the victim’s report on the victim’s face and neck.

As alleged, officers located the defendant at his mother’s home in Coventry. Additionally, the defendant gave officers permission to search his apartment, where they found a gray Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun and two 16-round large capacity magazines.

The defendant is scheduled for arraignment on March 22, 2024, in Kent County Superior Court.