Providence residents worried for their safety after recent shootings
Nov 26, 2024
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Providence residents living in the city's North End expressed concern Tuesday night after a man was shot and killed over the weekend.
The deadly shooting happened Sunday night on Monticello Street. Officers found the victim, 49-year-old Keith Singleton, suffering from several gunshot wounds, according to police.
Singleton was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital where he was later pronounced dead, marking the capital city's 11th homicide this year. Detectives are still searching for whoever's responsible.
Though investigators believe Singleton was targeted, residents who live nearby remain on edge.
Providence City Councilor Justin Roias hosted an emergency safety meeting Tuesday night, giving residents a chance to share their concerns.
"I wish I had the answers, but it seems like when it rains it pours," Roias said. "There seems to be a black cloud over our neighborhood."
RELATED: Suspect sought in Providence’s 11th homicide of the year
Toni Akin, who lives in the North End, told 12 News she became friendly with Singleton as she was campaigning for the Providence School Board.
"He was one of the last people I spoke with," Akin said. "He was just the nicest person."
Singleton was shot right next to the San Miguel School. Though the shooting didn't happen during school hours, San Miguel School executive director Mel Bride said it's still worrisome.
"We have a beautiful outdoor garden, and we're not going to be using the outdoor garden as an education space in the near future because kids are scared to be outside," Bride said.
It's not just the Monticello Street homicide that has residents concerned for their safety. Akin said residents are frustrated with the influx of violence that has plagued their neighborhood.
"It makes us very scared to leave the house," Akin said.
Providence Captain Richard Fernandes said detectives are investigating a number of shootings and have ramped up patrols in the neighborhood.
"Russo Street is open, Mezzo Lounge [is open] ... and Chad Brown is also open," he said, referring to the active investigations. "Will [detectives] develop enough information to make an arrest? Most of the time they do, so it's wait and see."
Fernandes asked residents at the emergency meeting to be the police department's eyes and ears — meaning that if they see something suspicious, they should immediately report it.
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