Suspect in custody after armed dispute in Bristol

Posted 3/2/22

A 60-year-old Bristol man is in custody after surrending peacefully to police on Naomi Street in Bristol this afternoon. According to Bristol Police Major Brian Burke, the suspect, Richard Coelho, of …

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Suspect in custody after armed dispute in Bristol

Posted

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story included an incorrect first name for the suspect taken into custody. This has been corrected.

A 60-year-old Bristol man is in custody after surrending peacefully to police on Naomi Street in Bristol this afternoon. According to Bristol Police Major Brian Burke, the suspect, Richard Coelho, of 25 Naomi St., is expected to be charged with domestic offenses, stemming from an incident inside the home earlier this afternoon.

According to Burke, police received a call about a possible domestic disturbance at that address at 1:10 p.m. When they arrived, two family members were outside the home and told officers that there was an argument, and that the man inside had made threats toward his son while holding a gun. The family evacuated the house, leaving Coelho inside with multiple guns.

Burke said family members reported multiple long guns, rifles and hand guns inside the home.

Warren, Portsmouth and Rhode Island State Police officers joined Bristol officers at the scene, helping steer away traffic, evacuate neighboring homes and secure the perimeter of the house. Bristol Police issued a “shelter in place” order for the surrounding neighborhood.

The suspect remained inside and did not respond to verbal commands for nearly two hours. During that time, neighboring Mt. Hope High School (the school’s new lacrosse field is located directly across the street from the scene) dismissed at its normal time. Officers steered students and cars away from the area.

One participant in the argument was Coelho’s son, Corey Coelho, 29, who was arrested last summer for firing a gun while allegedly driving under the influence in downtown Bristol. During that incident, which began at 1:18 a.m. on Aug. 29, a Bristol police officer followed Corey Coelho’s grey Lexus at about 60 miles per hour until it stopped in the driveway at 25 Naomi St. The younger Coelho then allegedly tossed a handgun out the window and admitted to firing the gun in the air while driving the vehicle earlier that night. That case is still pending in Rhode Island Superior Court.

Regarding today’s incident, Major Burke said they are just beginning their investigation, including a search and seizure of the guns, and charges are expected later today.

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