New Bedford Shooting Victim Dies, Charges Upgraded to Murder

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — The victim in last week’s shooting in the West End of New Bedford has died, and now the alleged shooter has been charged with murder.

According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, the victim – Ronald Sinclair, 60, of New Bedford – died on Friday, May 3 from the injuries sustained in the April 29 shooting.

Officers responded to the area of Austin Street near County Street at about 2:30 p.m. that day for a report of a male gunshot victim.

They found Sinclair at the scene and he was rushed to the hospital for treatment before passing away five days later.

Get our free mobile app

Christopher Smith, 38, of New Bedford was arrested shortly after the shooting in a backyard on Chestnut Street after fleeing the scene on foot. Police also recovered a firearm.

He was initially charged with assault with intent to murder by discharge of a firearm, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and carrying a loaded firearm without a license.

Smith will now be arraigned tomorrow morning in New Bedford District Court on the new murder charge.

According to police, Smith has “an extensive criminal history with convictions for a variety of offenses.”

In 2016, he was sentenced to four to six years in prison for an incident during which he was charged with kidnapping, breaking and entering and strangulation.