By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET — Pawtucket Police are awaiting a determination from the state medical examiner on the official cause of death of a Providence man found lifeless in a car with an apparent gunshot wound to the head on Newell Avenue on Wednesday afternoon.

Pawtucket Police have identified the man as Michael Benson, 33, of 155 Devonshire St. He was reportedly self-employed and owned a paving and construction company.
Pawtucket Police have also confirmed that Benson had a lengthy criminal record and had been released from prison this July.
According to Pawtucket Police reports, officers were called to the scene at around 2 p.m. for a report from a bystander about a man who appeared to be sleeping or motionless in a car.
When they arrived, they found Benson dead in the driver’s seat of a silver Volvo wagon that was parked on Newell Avenue near Hayward Street.
Pawtucket Police Detectives Lt. Daniel Mullen said on Thursday afternoon that the investigation was continuing and police had no further information as to the events leading to Benson’s death.
Mullen also said that police do not believe this shooting is related to the recent wave of gun violence that has occurred in the East Street and John Street area, but said detectives are still pursuing leads in the case.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Detective Donti Rosciti at 727-9100, ext. 737.