New Bedford Man Sentenced After Firing at Rival Gang Member

FALL RIVER (WBSM) — A New Bedford man was sentenced to state prison on gun charges after firing at a rival gang member who was out walking his dog.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced today that Josiah Sweeney, 20, pleaded guilty on December 16 in Fall River Superior Court to charges of carrying a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm, and attempted assault and battery by firearm.

Sweeney was sentenced to serve three years in state prison followed by two years of probation.

ShotSpotter and Surveillance Capture Gunfire

The charges date back to April 24, 2024, when Armani Reyes was walking his dog in the area of Dean Street and Coffin Avenue in New Bedford. Video surveillance captured a hooded individual walking down the street and firing five rounds in Reyes’ direction. The suspect then fled the scene.

The city’s ShotSpotter gunshot detection system registered the five rounds, and cameras showed the suspect pacing a few blocks away from the shooting location about 15 to 20 minutes prior to the shooting, without his face covered. A family member then identified the shooter as Sweeney.

Rival Gang Members Known to Police

Quinn said that both Reyes and Sweeney were known to New Bedford Police as members of rival gangs.

“This is yet another example of senseless violence involving rival gang members that endangers the community and continues to contribute to the violence in our communities,” D.A. Quinn said.