1 dead, others hurt in separate Fourth of July shootings in Providence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Providence police were stretched between three violent incidents on the night of the Fourth of July.

Police told ABC 6 News they are investigating a homicide at an industrial park and two separate shootings in the city’s south end.

No arrests were made in any of the shootings.

ABC 6 crews saw police responding to the shootings back-to-back overnight.

Police taped off a homicide scene at Dupont Drive inside an industrial park at about 1 a.m.

Providence police investigate a homicide at an industrial park on Dupont Drive early Wednesday morning, July 5, 2023. (WLNE)

Officers blocked the parking lot from all sides as they investigated the incident.

Police identified the victim as 28-year-old Jerry Cardona.

Police were then called to a shooting and a major disturbance at an annual Fourth of July block party at Glenham and Taylor streets.

The incident prompted dozens of cruisers.

Providence police respond to a shooting at an annual Fourth of July block party at Glenham and Taylor streets early Wednesday, July 5, 2023. (WLNE)

Cmdr. Kevin Lanni said a 38-year-old man and a 15-year-old girl were taken to the hospital. They are both expected to be OK.

Lanni said about 12 people were arrested during the disturbance. The arrests, he said, were unrelated to the shooting.

Last year, four people were arrested at the same block party.

An ABC 6 crew saw officers respond to a third shooting at an apartment building at the 300 block of Elmwood Avenue just before 2 a.m.

Providence police respond to an Elmwood Avenue apartment building for a shooting, Wednesday, July 5, 2023. (WLNE)

Lanni said a 22-year-old man was shot in the leg. He’s expected to be OK.

Mayor Brett Smiley provided the following statement to ABC 6 News on the violence:

We extend our sincerest condolences to the family of the victim involved in the homicide and the other victims from last night. I’m thankful to the members of the Providence Police Department for their dedication to public safety throughout the weekend and efficiently responding to a number of incidents. This underscores the need for more public safety resources and stricter gun laws to reduce access to these weapons in our community. Detectives are actively investigating the homicide and three shootings that occurred.

All three shootings remain under investigation.