By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
Calling Wednesday’s shooting outside a Providence high school a “senseless tragedy”, city officials said the 15-year old victim was not the target of the gunfire that came as a disturbance broke out.
A makeshift memorial of candles and other items took shape on a sign outside the Providence Career and Technical Academy at Westminster and Fricker Streets, where William Parsons, 15 was shot just yards away from Classical High School, where he and his classmates were taking part in an early dismissal on just the second day of school.
“He was standing nearby and we believe he was shot and killed and was not the target,” said Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare. Parsons died about an hour later at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.
“We’re investigating motive, as to why the original disturbance occurred, and the subsequent introduction of a handgun by our suspect, who is also a juvenile,” Pare said.
“This is a senseless, senseless tragedy. It’s all of our worst nightmares,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza at a mid-morning news conference at the Providence Public Safety Complex. “It’s our responsibility to come together as a family.” He had met with Parsons’ family in the aftermath of the shooting.
The suspected shooter was captured about a mile away from the school on Sprague Street where he apparently accidentally shot himself in the leg.
“In his attempt to flee it appears, quite appears, apparently appears that he accidentally shoots himself,” said Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements, who would not identify the suspect, a juvenile, because of his age. A handgun was recovered later. Clements said he would be charged after his discharge from the hospital.
“The most significant charge will be brought as a charge of murder,” said Deputy Attorney General Gerald Coyne. “I would expect that there will be other charges based upon the investigation in addition to that.” He expects that the suspect would eventually be charged as an adult.
“He will be charged as a juvenile, and then we have to go through a waiver process in Family Court to have him waived into Superior Court. It is almost a certainty we will be petitioning for that,” Coyne said.
Police said the suspect is 16 years old, and is not a student at either PCTA, Central or Classical High Schools.
“There’s an expanded police presence at PCTA, Central and Classical High School today, and we’ll continue it tomorrow as well,” said Elorza. He added that counseling will be available for students, faculty and staff at the city’s schools.
