Providence Police Seize Loaded Weapons on East Side After Shots Fired
Tuesday, September 01, 2020
Police seized loaded weapons early Monday morning near University Heights on the East Side of Providence.
Police were responding to a call for loud music at Thomas Olney Common shortly after midnight, where they found a crowd of 50 gathered.
According to police, they recognized subjects "known to police" -- Daniel Zairis, Ryan DaCruz, and Robert Komhlan -- who appeared to be in possession of firearms, and attempted to evade police.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAfter police drew their weapons, and apprehended two of the subjects and detained a third, officers found two loaded weapons that had been discarded.
Police Report
Providence police reported the following.
"On 8/31/20 at approximately 0053hrs, [police] were working directed patrol when they monitored a dispatched call to the area of 1 Thomas Olney Common for loud music with 50 people outside. Police immediately recognized that this area had previously had a shots fired incident approximately 3 hours earlier. Police also recognized that this area has been prone to recent gun violence within the past two weeks. Police are also aware that this is an area where East Side gang members commonly congregate.
As police traveled into the parking lot, they observed a group of subjects loitering in the parking lot, smoking marijuana and drinking. Police exited their vehicle to speak with the subjects and immediately recognized three male subjects that were part of the crowd, identified as Daniel Zairis, Ryan DaCruz, and Robert Komhlan. Police are aware that all of these subjects have been involved in firearm incidents/arrests, as well as Da Cruz being the victim of a shooting on 06/22/2020.
Due to police’s previous knowledge of these subjects and the recent gun violence in the area, police began to approach a male subject who was concealing his hands inside his jacket pockets. Police began terry frisking him for Officer Safety. Police also inquired (to the crowd) if anyone was in possession of firearms. At this time police immediately observed Komhlan separate from the crowd and begin to walk towards the walkway leading into the housing development and simultaneously Da Cruz also separated himself from the crowd following behind Komhlan. It should be noted that while separating from the crowd, police observed both Komhlan and DaCruz immediately blade their bodies away from police, bending at the waist while holding what appeared to be heavily weighted objects within their waistbands. They began quickly walking away from police while continuously looking over their shoulders in the directions of police.
At this time [police] focused their attention on Komhlan and DaCruz as they were exhibiting characteristics of subjects in possession of firearms. At this point, police began approaching the walkway ordering the subjects to stop. During this, Zairis began walking directly behind Dacruz, in an attempt to shield him from police. Police again told Dacruz to stop, at which point he began to run from police, with his hands still concealed in the front of his body. Zairis then began running behind [police] with his hands concealed in his front pockets. Ptlm. Gagnon, believing Zairis to be in possession of a weapon, drew his department issued firearm and ordered Zairis to the ground. Zairis immediately withdrew his hands from his pockets and dropped to the ground. Dacruz and Komhlan then began to run between two buildings, turning right into a grassy area.
Police continued to chase DaCruz and Komhlan around the apartment building, at which point [police] observed DaCruz’s left arm making a throwing motion to the left. Police then heard the distinct sound of a gunshot from their left side, and a patrolman pointed his department issued firearm at DaCruz and ordered him to the ground. He was then placed into handcuffs and searched. Simultaneously, a patrolman pointed his department issued firearm at Komhlan and ordered him to the ground. Komhlan didn’t comply with police, at which point [police] took him to the ground and he was placed into custody.
It should be noted that as DaCruz threw the firearm, police heard one round discharge from the firearm as it fell to the pavement below (behind the Whole Foods), at which point police broadcasted “shots fired."
Police located a silver Accu-tek pistol (S/N 022054) under a metal dumpster in the direction that DaCruz was seen making a throwing motion.
Police also located a shell casing in close proximity to the firearm. The firearm contained one round in the chamber and two rounds in the magazine. A check via Channel 4 revealed nothing on file.
Police also located a Glock 22 pistol (S/N UBX529) in the wooded area between the rear of Whole Foods and the rear of the housing complex (where police lost sight of Komhlan initially). The firearm contained one round in the chamber and eighteen rounds in the magazine. A check via Channel 4 revealed that the firearm was reported stolen from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. BCI responded and photographed/seized the firearms.
While on scene, a disturbance started to form between the remaining subjects. Police were attempting to disperse the subjects; however, Zairis continued inciting the crowd, yelling profanities at the officers on scene, flailing his arms in the air and making threats towards officers. Zairis was given multiple orders to disperse; however, he continued his violent and tumultuous behavior, therefore it was deemed he needed to be placed in custody for disorderly conduct, in order to restore peace to the neighborhood.
While attempting to place Zairis in custody, he began to resist police efforts of taking him into custody and had to be taken to the ground, where he was eventually placed in handcuffs. Zairis continued struggle as he was being escorted to the police cruiser. After multiple units arrived from other districts, order was eventually restored and police transported Dacruz, Komhlan and Zairis to C/S without incident. Komhlan and Dacruz were turned over to Detectives for further investigation and charging."
