Former Providence firefighter sentenced to serve 5 years for assault

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Attorney General Peter Neronha said that a former Providence firefighter was sentenced for violently assaulting a 64-year-old man and his adult son during in 2018.

Willard Whiting, of Cranston, was found guilty one count of felony assault resulting in serious bodily injury and one count of felony assault on a person over the age of 60 on July 6.

The 50-year-old was accused of approaching and screaming at his wife on July 18, 2018.

The two victims then approached Whiting, who struck and repeatedly assaulted both of them.

Both the 64-year-old man and his son were taken to Kent Hospital where they were treated for their injuries. The younger victim required surgery for his injuries.

Two witnesses from the scene were able to provide Whiting’s license plate and positively identified him as the assailant to police. Whiting turned himself in to police on July 23, 2018.

Providence police had confirmed Whiting was terminated from his position on the Providence Fire Department following a Trial Board Hearing in December of 2018.

Neronha said that Whiting was sentenced to serve 15 years, with five years to serve at the Adult Correctional Institutions, and a 10-year suspended sentence with 15 years of probation.

He was also ordered to have no contact with the victims and to complete anger management counseling.