West Park Place Gunmen Face Federal Charges

Two gunmen involved in a home invasion shootout Sept. 12 at 65/67 West Park Place now face federal charges, with new details released about the botched attempt to steal drugs and cash.  

Federal criminal complaints have been filed in U.S. District Court in Providence charging Tyronne Seams, 27, of Woonsocket, and David Bunnell, 21, of Franklin, MA, with conspiracy, use of a firearm in relation to drug trafficking and while committing a crime of violence, drug trafficking and Hobbs Act robbery, according to US Attorney Peter F. Neronha's office.

Seams is also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

According to Woonsocket Police, WPD Officer Matthew Labine, dispatched with several officers to reports of gunfire from the address at 2 a.m. that morning, was near the rear of the building and spotted two men, later identified as Seams and Bunnell, exit, then retreat back inside after spotting officers. Labine followed them in, ordering them, at gunpoint, to show their hands. They did, and Labine arrested them.

An affidavit filed with the charges reports Bunnell was located in the basement where officers also seized a sawed-off shotgun and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. Seams was located on the floor of a second floor landing suffering from an apparent gunshot. Police seized a packet containing approximately 200 grams of cocaine from Seams’ pocket and a .41 caliber revolver was located nearby.

In a second-floor apartment, officers discovered a "substantial amount" of blood; numerous spent shell casings from at least two firearms; bullet holes in the kitchen counter, bathroom door and bathroom wall; an individual with a head wound from blunt force trauma; and materials allegedly associated with the preparation and sale of drugs, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit reports a fourth individual, allegedly suffering from a gunshot wound, made his way out before police arrived and drove himself to a nearby hospital.

The incident was investigated by members of the WPD, ATF, DEA Drug Task Force, RI State Police, North Smithfield Police, and the Franklin and Blackstone, Mass., Police Departments. 

The investigation revealed Seams and Bunnell forcibly stole cocaine from inside the apartment and jointly inflicted physical violence on the apartment and persons inside in the course of the robbery, according to the affidavit.