New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
“Police have made a second arrest in connection with a shooting incident on September 6th in the Ben Rose Housing Development.
As previously reported, south-end units responded to a ShotSpotter activation at Ben Rose on that day. Upon further investigation, it was learned that JONATHAN OVALLE had fired shots at a passing vehicle. OVALLE was taken into custody earlier last week and is currently being held without bail.
Detective Roberto DaCunha was able to determine that OVALLE had been exchanging gunfire with a male in the passing vehicle who was later identified as Mr. CHRISTOPHER LITTLE, 18, of 76 Bluefield St. A warrant was issued for LITTLE for the shooting.
LITTLE was already under investigation for an incident that took place on September 5th during which he was identified as one of several males attacking a juvenile in the area of Monte’s Playground. During that incident, LITTLE was observed on video punching and kicking the juvenile as he lay on the ground. The video was later shared on social media.
On September 14th, at around 4 PM, Sgt. Bruce Szyndlar was on patrol in the Blue Meadows Housing development. Working on information provided by Gang Unit Detectives, he approached a vehicle containing multiple occupants, one of whom was LITTLE. Sgt. Szyndlar removed LITTLE from the vehicle and a foot pursuit soon began. LITTLE fled through the development and into the parking lot of a nearby business where he was ultimately taken into custody.
A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a loaded 380 caliber handgun with a defaced serial number on the floor beneath where LITTLE had been seated. The owner and operator of the vehicle, SHAUNDRE LEVY, 34, of 80 Bluefield St., was also taken into custody. Both parties are charged with carrying a loaded firearm with a defaced serial number as a result of the incident. LITTLE is additionally charged with discharging a firearm, destruction of property, carrying a loaded firearm, and attempted assault and battery by discharge for his role in the shooting on September 6th at Ben Rose during which he exchanged fire with OVALLE.
The arresting officer was Jorge Barbosa.
“We take these crimes very seriously and place their investigation at a very high level of priority. We would like to encourage the public to report anything that makes them feel unsafe in their community and partner with us in order to keep the city safe. I’m pleased that the investigation in this case yielded two suspects and that officers in the field were able to take them into custody safely.”
-Chief Paul Oliveira
If you have any information you would like to share with the police, you can do so anonymously by visiting our website, newbedfordpd.com, or by calling 508-99-CRIME.”
