CRANSTON, RI — Police have arrested a 16-year-old in connection with a drive-by shooting on New Year’s Eve that nearly struck a toddler inside a Pleasant Street residence.
Officers responded to reports of shots fired at 143/145 Pleasant Street at 9:22 p.m. on Dec. 31.
Multiple shell casings were found in the roadway, and two rounds were lodged in the exterior of a duplex home.
Inside the residence was a mother and her two young children—an infant and a toddler.
One bullet penetrated the exterior wall and entered the room where the toddler was lying down, missing the child by only inches.
No physical injuries were reported.
Detectives determined the intended target was the adjacent residence within the duplex.
Following an investigation led by Detective Sergeant Jeff Chapman, with assistance from the Providence Police Department, the 16-year-old juvenile from Providence was arrested and a 9mm firearm was recovered.
Forensic testing confirmed the firearm was used in the shooting.
The juvenile faces charges of drive-by shooting, possession of a firearm by a minor and firing in a compact area.
“This was an extremely dangerous and reckless act that could have easily resulted in the death of an innocent child,” said Major Todd Patalano.
The juvenile was taken into custody without incident and is being held at the Rhode Island Training School pending prosecution.
State law prohibits the release of identifying information for juvenile suspects.
