Newport Police today provided the following information on the Jade Way shooting incident earlier this month.
On Friday July 5, 2024, at about 12:53 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 involved in this incident.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Mr. 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.
Mr. Escobar was taken into custody on July 8, 2024 by the Somerset, MA Police Department. He waived extradition and was arraigned on July 9, 2024 in Newport District Court. He was held at the ACI as a probation violator for previous firearm charges.
Detectives continued this 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, 2024, 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.
Mr. Jenkins was arraigned on July 11, 2024 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 Mr. Washington.
On July 12, 2024, members of the Portsmouth Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle Mr. Washington was operating. He 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 Mr. Washington. He was located and arrested a short time later in Middletown. A search warrant was executed at his residence and evidence related to this investigation was recovered. Mr. 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, 2024. Mr. 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, 2024.
The Newport Police Department remains committed to ensuring the safety of all residents and visitors of the city. Violence of any kind, especially gun violence, will not be tolerated and all instances of gun violence will be thoroughly investigated and those responsible will face significant criminal charges.
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
Original story: July 9
Newport Police Department today announced that they have taken a Middletown man into custody following a shooting incident on Friday morning in Newport.
Newport Police shared the following in a press release on Tuesday morning;
“On Friday, July 5, 2024, at about 12:53 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 Detectives developed that 24-year-old Johnny Escobar of Middletown was involved in this incident.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Mr. Escobar for Possession of Firearms by Certain
Persons Prohibited, Assault with Intent to Commit Specified Felonies, License or Permit
Required for Carrying Pistol and Firing in a Compact area.
Mr. Escobar was taken into custody on July 8, 2024 and will be arraigned on July 9, 2024 in Newport District Court.
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”.
According to Newport Police Department’s arrest log for Monday, July 8, Johnny Escobar, 24, of Middletown, Rhode Island, was taken into custody by Detective Walsh at 1 pm on charges of Possession of Firearms By Certain Persons Prohibited, Assault With Intent To Commit Specified Felonies, License or Permit Required for Carrying Pistol, and Firing in Compact Area.
The Newport Police Department says in an email that they are not releasing any more information at this time.
