Police: Heavily intoxicated Burrillville man points gun at officer’s face

BURRILLVILLE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Burrillville man is under arrest after town police said he pointed a loaded gun inches away from an officer’s face while intoxicated Thursday morning.

Nicholas Smith, 40, will be charged with assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm while intoxicated, discharging a firearm within a compact area, simple assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

According to Burrillville Police Department Chief Colonel Stephen Lynch, officers responded to an 8:36 a.m. call of gunshots coming from the area of a residence on Tarkiln Road.

Arriving officers knocked on the rear door which was answered by Smith, who police said pointed the loaded 9 mm handgun within inches of the closest officer’s face.

The officer pushed away Smith’s arm and disarmed him before other responding officers assisted in bringing him to the ground and handcuffing him.

Police said that Smith showed “obvious signs of heavy intoxication” and was transported to Burrillville Police Headquarters.

His arraignment at Sixth District Court in Providence is scheduled for Thursday.