Victim identified, new details emerge in fatal Providence shooting

By News Staff

Email: news@abc6.com

Twitter: @ABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – New details have emerged following the fatal shooting of a Providence student outside three Providence high schools Wednesday.

At a press conference Thursday, Providence Police identified the victim as 15-year-old William Parsons, a student at Central High School.

Parsons was shot and killed following what Police described as a fight between two students around 2:00 p.m. Wednesday in close proximity to Central and Classical High Schools, as well as Providence Career & Technical Academy.

Police said Thursday that they believe Parsons was an innocent bystander, and was not part of the altercation.

Police declined to release the identity of the suspect in the shooting at this time, but said the suspect, a 16-year-old who is not a student at any of the schools in proximity to the shooting, is believed to have accidentally shot himself while fleeing the scene of the crime.

The suspect is suffering from non-life-threatening injuries. No word on when he will be released from Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

Providence Police Commissioner Steven Pare said he’s confident that there was never a gun inside the school buildings during the day.

Mayor Jorge Elorza said there will be an expanded police presence at the three schools in the area, reassuring parents that their children will be safe.

Parsons’ family has started a GoFundMe page for anyone that would like to donate. The page can be found here.

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