Providence police arrest man for allegedly throwing fireworks at church group

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A 21-year-old man was arrested by Providence police Saturday after he allegedly threw fireworks from a second floor porch toward a group of church members in a parking lot.

Tyreese Laurum Chet is charged with three counts of felony assault after the alleged incident at 12:27 p.m. Saturday.

He is also charged with sale, use or possession of fireworks and use of dangerous or offensive instruments or substances to disturb public assemblies.

According to Providence Police Department representative Kristy Dos Reis, police responded to 417 Hartford Avenue Saturday for reports of fireworks thrown toward the gathering.

The police report says that arriving officers encountered a group of people gathered around a woman sitting on the ground with an apparent calf injury.

The officer was told that the group came from a Christian church that had gathered in the La Gran Via Meat Market parking lot to preach the Gospel.

According to the report, a male subject began throwing small fireworks toward the group from a second floor porch of 422 Hartford Ave.

The group initially ignored the individual until he was allegedly threw a larger firework in their direction.

Attempting to kick the firework away, a group member sustained minor left leg injuries when the device detonated.

A second victim sustained burns to her buttocks and calf, and another victim sustained minor injuries to his stomach area.

Police established a perimeter and an officer knocked on the door of 422 Hartford Ave, according to the report.

The officer said that Chet came to the door and was questioned about the incident.

Chet admitted that he threw the fireworks into the lot, according to the officer.

Chet was arrested and walked to a police cruiser without incident.

Several members of the church group shouted “That’s him!” as Chet was walked to the cruiser, according to the report.

A small piece of a detonated firework was found at the scene and collected as evidence.

Chet later told police that he he was bothered by the church group as it was using a loudspeaker in its gathering, according to the police report.

Four total people sustained minor injuries in the incident according to police, but declined ambulance transport for treatment.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing and Chet was released on bail Monday.

He will next appear in court on February 2, 2026.