Police: Gun confiscated after a struggle between officer and armed man
The police report says during a struggle between Black and the officer, a crowd formed and Black told an onlooker to take his gun before police could.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)- Providence police say a gun was confiscated and two officers were hospitalized after a struggle with an armed man Friday evening.
Providence Police Commander Thomas Verdi confirmed the incident happened just before 6 p.m. when officers were patrolling near Smith Street after reports of repeated gun-related activity.
Police saw two men in the parking lot of G.I. Joe Convenience Store “immediately look in the direction of police and grip an unknown object in their waistband area and turn away.”
A report notes one of the men, JC Black, was a shooting victim at the same location last year and is known to police.
The two men saw police and ran down Smith Street.
Black was in possession of a gun, according to Cmmdr. Verdi. He was tackled by one officer on Chalkstone Avenue and refused to take his hand off of his gun.
The police report says during a struggle between Black and the officer, a crowd formed and Black told an onlooker to take his gun before police could.
More officers arrived on scene and Black was taken into custody. His gun was confiscated by police.
The report notes while Black was being placed under arrest, he “continued to be uncooperative” and spit in the officer’s face.
The officer injured both of his knees in the struggle, and a second officer suffered a finger injury while handcuffing Black. Both were taken to Roger Williams Hospital for treatment, according to Cmmdr. Verdi.
JC Black is being held at the ACI and charged by Providence’s Violent Task Force.
He faces the following charges:
- Felony Assault on a Police Officer
- Resisting Arrest
- License/Permit Required for Carrying a Pistol
- Possession of a Firearm
