PROVIDENCE — An East Providence man has been charged in Providence County Superior Court with multiple counts of felony assault, including assault with attempt to murder, after allegedly attacking another city man with a hammer on July 5, 2023.

On August 22, the Office of the Attorney General Peter F. Neronha charged Kenneth Jackson, 47, by way of criminal information, with one count of assault with intent to murder, one count of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of assault on a person over the age of 60, and one count of disorderly conduct.

As alleged in the criminal information, on July 5, East Providence Police responded to the parking lot of a retail shopping center at 1040 Willet Ave.

According to the report provided by EPPD Public Information Officer Captain Michael Rapoza at the time of the incident, officers were dispatched to the parking lot of Shaw’s Supermarket following a call of a disturbance involving a man with a hammer.

Once on scene, officers observed a 74-year-old man, later deemed to be an East Providence resident as well, suffering from serious injuries to his head. Witnesses told officers that a male suspect attacked the victim with a hammer. Bystanders were able to wrestle the hammer away from the suspect to prevent further injury to the victim.

The suspect, Jackson, was located a short distance away and taken into custody without incident. Jackson was later also found to be from East Providence. Police determined he was unknown to the victim.

The victim was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where he was treated for head injuries sustained in the attack then released.

As further alleged, investigators obtained surveillance footage from Shaw’s which depicted the victim walking away from the neighboring Dollar Tree store with the defendant following him close behind. The footage then allegedly shows the defendant strike the victim twice in the back of the head with the hammer, unprovoked.

As further alleged, the investigators obtained the defendant’s consent to search his apartment. Investigators found a letter, written by the defendant, that described his intentions to kill someone that day.

Jackson is scheduled for a pre-arraignment conference on October 23, in Providence County Superior Court.

An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.