New Bedford Gang Member Sentenced for Firing Shots

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — A New Bedford gang member who fired shots at a vehicle driving on Court Street in 2022 was convicted of assault charges this week.

After a three-day trial, a Fall River Superior Court jury convicted Rayshond Lewis, 26, of attempted assault and battery by means of a firearm, carrying an illegal firearm-third offense, carrying a loaded illegal firearm and larceny.

Lewis was sentenced today to serve eight to 11 years in state prison.

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On May 3, 2022, Lewis was a vehicle passenger traveling to the Ash Street Jail. The other occupants allegedly got out of the car to check on someone they believed was being held at the jail.

While this was occurring, Lewis hopped out of the passenger’s seat and fired at least seven shots at another car that was driving by at the time.

No one was struck or injured during the incident, but bullets did strike a nearby house, front porch and parked vehicle.

Court documents said the larceny conviction was connected to an incident about a week after the shooting where Lewis stole his ex-girlfriend’s cell phone.

Lewis will not begin the prison sentence until he completes a five-to-10-year state prison term he was sentenced to earlier this month for violating the terms of his probation connected to a violent 2017 home invasion.

Lewis was arrested multiple times that year and New Bedford Police referred to him as the city's "most dangerous gang member."

“I am extremely pleased that the jury held the defendant accountable for this lawless act of violence which could have killed or injured people in the area," District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said. "The defendant is a very dangerous individual who has previously been convicted of two prior firearm offenses. In addition, at the time of these offenses, he was on probation for a violent home invasion in which he strangled the victim."

“The court appropriately sentenced him to consecutive prison terms for the firearm charges. The two sentences amount to more than 20 years in prison," Quinn said. "In addition, the defendant is awaiting trial for allegedly stabbing two inmates while he was held at the house of correction. The citizens of New Bedford will be much safer now that the defendant will be off the street for a long time.”