PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Providence Police Department announced Wednesday that 27-year-old Nelson Pires was arrested and charged with child endangerment after the shooting death of his daughter in Providence. “The actions of Nelson Pires demonstrated a total disregard for the safety and wellbeing of his children,” Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said. The shooting took place on Florence Street the night of Aug. 29, as police said a suspect fired into Pires’ car, hitting 7-year-old Ny’eil in the backseat — she was not the target. Police quickly arrested two suspects the next day, 19-year-old Ahmari Cabrera and 26-year-old Shaheem Nathaniel. “This crime has shaken our entire city, shaken me,” Mayor Brett Smiley said the day after the shooting. “It’s the first instance of a child being hurt in several years here in our city in this way.” Community members rallied as Ny’Eil remained in critical condition at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. Ny’Eil fought for her life a Hasbro for several days before she died, with residents immediately showing support for the family. “We’re here for them, we want to be united through all these days with them,” Rev. Lourdes Burgos said at a vigil. “Ny’Eil, she didn’t deserve this.” Cabrera and Nathaniel both appeared in court, charged with murder. Now, Ny’Eil’s father is facing charges of child endangerment and is set to appear and in court Thursday. “It was not an easy decision,” Perez said. “But I’ll reiterate that it’s important for us to make sure of the safety of every individual in the city, and obviously this was a tragic loss.” Officials said the bulk of the investigation is now focused on an altercation that led up to the shooting, with Perez also noting Wednesday that Pires has a lengthy criminal record. Categories: News, Providence, Rhode Island