Warwick, Rhode Island – The residents of Warwick were left in shock and sorrow after a tragic shooting incident that unfolded on a cold Thursday morning. The somber atmosphere lingered outside the hardware store, where customers and onlookers grappled with the devastating news spreading through the tight-knit community.
As the television cameras captured the scene outside Salk’s Ace Hardware & Marine, inside, employees and customers exchanged bits of information, hoping against hope that the reports were not as grim as they seemed. The confirmation from Warwick Police Chief Col. Bradford E. Connor only served to make the situation more difficult to bear – a child had been fatally shot, followed by the alleged gunman taking his own life.
The day began with Warwick Police responding to a domestic disturbance call at 71 Frawley St. Officers arrived to a harrowing sight – the lifeless body of a small child and an adult male with a fatal self-inflicted gunshot wound. The tragedy unfolded in a residential neighborhood, prompting a lockdown at nearby schools as police worked to secure the area and assess the situation.
The identity of the shooter, the victim, and the distraught mother who bravely sought help from the authorities were revealed by Warwick Police the following day. Estefania Dempsey, the 33-year-old mother, recounted the horrific events to law enforcement, detailing how her husband, Seamus Dempsey, had fatally shot their four-year-old son, Liam Dempsey, before turning the gun on himself.
In the wake of the senseless tragedy, Warwick Police appealed for patience as they pieced together the events leading up to the heartbreaking crime. The community mourned the loss of young Liam and offered support to all those affected by the tragic incident. The gravity of the situation weighed heavy on the city, with Mayor Frank Picozzi encapsulating the collective sentiment by deeming it a “very sad day” for Warwick.