By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
A Smith Hill pawnshop owner was fighting for his life following an exchange of gunfire with a trio of apparent robbers Friday morning. Two of the suspects were later captured and hospitalized with gunshot wounds, the owner was being treated for “life-threatening” injuries.
Police were called to the Capitol Gold shop at 522 Smith Street in Providence after a postal worker found the owner lying on the floor with a severe gunshot wound. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital.
Commander Thomas Oates tells WPRO News that a second man, also with a gunshot wound, was apprehended by police several blocks away on Ayrault Street.
Just after 1:30 P.M., police received a call that another suspect was at a home on Wesleyan Avenue. He surrendered, was placed in custody and was also taken to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds. Cmdr. Oates said a third suspect was being sought.
“This is terrible,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza outside the shop early Friday afternoon. “Certainly a brazen attack.”
“The police is on the scene, following every lead and gathering all the evidence to make sure that whoever did this is brought to justice. This kind of violence or any kind of violence is unacceptable in our city, and we’re going to make sure that we root this out entirely,” Elorza said.
