Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Lorenzo Hicks-Hinson (age 28), with a last known address of 419 Diamond Hill Road, Woonsocket, was sentenced today by Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause to 15 years to serve, followed by 20 years suspended with probation which is non parolable, for shooting and seriously injuring a man in Woonsocket in March 2015.
Hicks-Hinson pleaded guilty in December 2015 to felony assault, discharge of a firearm while committing a crime of violence, carrying a firearm without a license, and possession of a firearm after being previously convicted of a crime of violence.
On March 25, 2015, Hicks-Hinson shot and seriously injured David Harmon. Mr. Harmon went to Hick-Hinson's apartment that afternoon to confront him about having a relationship with his girlfriend while Mr. Harmon was incarcerated. The conversation between Hicks-Hinson and Harmon became heated, at which time Hicks-Hinson took out a .44 magnum and shot Harmon twice in the abdomen.
Police responded to the scene where they encountered Hicks-Hinson, who claimed he shot Harmon in self defense. Hicks-Hinson was placed under arrest. A search of the premises by Woonsocket Police and the Rhode Island State Police K-9 Unit found the firearm, with the serial number ground down and untraceable, in a bag in the basement.
Harmon, who was taken to Landmark Medical Center by his girlfriend, told police that during the conformation, Hicks-Hinson brandished the firearm and shot him in the abdomen.
"A dispute over a girl nearly turned deadly when the defendant, a convicted felon, withdrew his illegal gun and shot the victim. It's a senseless act of violence that is unfortunately all too common when illegal firearms are a factor," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "Today's sentence sends a strong message to those who think nothing of possessing and using a firearm: it will not be tolerated by the police, prosecutor or the Courts."
Woonsocket Police Detective Sergeant Kevin Sanford led the investigation with assistance from Detective Sergeant Philip Kramer, Rhode Island State Police Trooper Lisa Hanley and K-9 Annie, a yellow Labrador Retriever trained in explosives and gun detection. Assistant Attorney General John E. Corrigan prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.