Suspect in Cranston murder, deadly Swansea crash arraigned in hospital

CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) — The suspect accused of shooting and killing a man in Cranston, then killing two people in a crash in Swansea, was arraigned in the hospital over the weekend. Police said Demitri Sousa, 28, of Seekonk, will be formally arraigned in court when he is medically cleared. So far, Sousa has been charged by Cranston police with murder, using a firearm while committing a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license. He was ordered held without bail. Police believe Sousa shot 35-year-old Javon Lawson at his home on Legion Way Thursday night. Lawson was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time later. Sousa then fled the scene, and Massachusetts State Police briefly pursued the car before calling off the chase. Shortly after midnight on Friday, Swansea police saw Sousa speed past them on Route 6 and then found he had crashed into the side of a Subaru that was traveling southbound on Route 136. Both vehicles sustained "catastrophic damage," according to Swansea police, and the Subaru became engulfed in flames. The two people inside the Subaru were pronounced dead at the scene. While the victims, a woman and a man, have not yet been identified, Bristol police said they were residents of the town. Both the shooting and the crash remain under investigation. Cranston police said they believe the shooting stemmed from a prior dispute between the suspect and victim over a "mutual female acquaintance." Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.