Cranston Man Charged in Samurai Sword Attack on Bisexual Man

The Cranston man accused of attacking a Johnston man with a samurai sword is in police custody.

Johnston Police charged Michael Gomes, 24, of 39 Oaklawn Ave., with felony assault with a dangerous weapon.

Police said they arrested Gomes Thursday night.

Gomes reportedly attacked David Teague III, a 24-year-old man who told NBC10 that he is bisexual and thinks that's why he was attacked.

Gomes reportedly swung the sword, a katana, at Teague while a group of people were drinking outside a house on Angell Street.

Teague's left wrist was sliced in the attack.

Also charged were two men at the scene for disorderly conduct and the girlfriend of one man who was charged with obstruction of justice after she claimed she wielded the katana, not Gomes.

They are Timothy Little, 24, of 32 Angell St., Johnston and Ronald Georgio, 22, of Cranston.

Teague said he believed the attack was a hate crime because a slur was used. Police, however, said there is not enough evidence to charge Gomes with a hate crime.

Gomes is being held on $20,000 surety bail and is due to appear in court later today.

Court records show that in the past, Gomes has been convicted of or pleaded no contest to charges of driving under the influence, breaking and entering, assault and larceny.