New Bedford man sentenced for attempted assault and battery by firearm

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — A New Bedford man was sentenced after firing a gun “in the direction of” a man in the city, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn, III.

20-year-old Josiah Sweeney, of New Bedford, was sentenced to three years in State Prison, followed by two years probation.

According to Quinn, the victim was walking his dog in the area of Deane and Coffin Ave on April 24, 2024, when a hooded man fired five rounds “in the direction of the victim.”

The man, later identified as Sweeney, ran from the scene.

Quinn said around 10 to 15 minutes later, cameras captured Sweeney “pacing a few blocks away” from the location where shots were fired, with his face uncovered.

A family member identified the suspect as Sweeney, who was charged.

Police alleged Sweeney and the victim were known to be from rival gangs in the city.

Sweeney pleaded guilty to carrying a firearm, carrying a loaded firearm and attempted assault and battery of a firearm on Dec. 16.