Man found hiding from police in closet days after deadly shooting pleads not guilty

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A 19-year-old man who Providence police found hiding in a closet this summer after allegedly shooting another teenager to death was ordered held without bail on Wednesday.

Kevin Giron entered a not guilty plea on all counts in Providence Superior Court.

He has been held without bail since his first arraignment on murder and gun charges in June.

Giron was arrested at an apartment on Union Avenue days after he escaped from a Hudson Street home.

Providence police share these photos from inside the closet where Kevin Giron was found, Wednesday, June 14, 2023. (Providence police)

Police searched for Giron for days after the shooting death of 19-year-old Juan Carlos Morales near Donigan Park.

Chief Oscar Perez said Morales had been out partying with a group of young men, and that alcohol was involved. The shooting happened when he walked toward the concession stand with one of them.

Perez said all the young men involved knew each other.

The weapon used in the shooting of Morales was not found.

Giron is expected back in court next month.