Police: Man arrested after fight on Narragansett beach

Joshua Adams (Courtesy: Narragansett Police Department)

NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WPRI) — Authorities say officers arrested an 18-year-old North Kingstown man Wednesday night following a fight on a Narragansett beach.

Joshua Adams was charged with carrying a weapon while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and disorderly conduct

Narragansett Police Chief Sean Corrigan said officers were called to Narragansett Town Beach after security guards alerted them to an argument among teenagers that had escalated into a fight.

Corrigan said when security guards tried to break up the fight, Adams ran away.

According to Corrigan, security guards on the beach warned officers that Adams might be armed and told them to be cautious in the pursuit.

Corrigan said a witness also claimed that Adams was screaming and waving a gun throughout the fight.

Adams was arrested after a short chase and the weapon he was carrying turned out to be an air rifle, according to Corrigan.

“Pointing a weapon, whether real or fake, is an extremely dangerous act,” Corrigan said. “Police officers on the scene often have only a split second to decide whether they are facing a deadly threat.”

Corrigan praised officers for their restraint and appropriate handling of the situation. He also stressed that “alcohol and guns don’t mix” and that no one with impaired judgment should pick up a firearm, real or fake, with or without a permit.

Narragansett held its Independence Day celebrations on the town’s beach on Wednesday night, but it is unclear whether the brawl occurred during the celebrations.