PORTSMOUTH — A Portsmouth woman has been indicted for murder in connection with the shooting death of her husband back in May.
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PORTSMOUTH — A Portsmouth woman has been indicted for murder in connection with the shooting death of her husband back in May.
The Newport County Grand Jury reported out an indictment Friday charging Lisa Almeida-Laureanno, 57, of Portsmouth, with one count of murder and one count of discharge of a firearm while committing a crime of violence.
It is alleged that on or about May 16, 2016, Ms. Almeida-Laureanno shot and killed her 69-year-old husband, Manuel Laureanno, at the apartment they shared at 3028 East Main Road
The Laureanno family is familiar to many Portsmouth residents, as members have had their hands in companies involved in construction, oil delivery and real estate.
Ms. Almeida-Laureanno has been held without bail since her arrest and is scheduled to be arraigned in Newport County Superior Court on Sept. 15.
The Portsmouth Police conducted the investigation.
Shortly after Ms. Almeida-Laureanno’s arrest, Police Chief Thomas Lee said at a press conference, “I think what we have here is unfortunately another tragic case of domestic violence. And it shows that a lethal mix of a past history of domestic violence, alcohol and easy accessibility of firearms can result in murder.”
The chief said although there “was no recent history” of domestic violence reported at the residence, police did respond to the same apartment back in 2009, when they arrested Mr. Laureanno for simple domestic assault against Ms. Almeida-Laureanno. (The two were married in 2013 but were a couple for several years previously, the chief said.)
Police responded to the couple’s apartment — located adjacent to the North End Pizzeria plaza — shortly after 7 p.m. on May 16 after receiving a 911 call placed by Ms. Almeida-Laureanno, “stating that she had shot her husband,” Chief Lee said.
When they arrived, police found Mr. Laureanno in the “living room/family room” area and shot “in the center chest area,” Chief Lee said.
Mr. Laureanno was pronounced dead at the scene. His wife, who was still in the apartment, was charged with domestic murder.
Police obtained a search warrant for the apartment and seized several other guns, but police believe a snub-nosed revolver was used in the shooting.