‘I’m not snitching, I’m telling,’ advocates rally against gun violence after shooting of child

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Two suspects were arrested Friday in connection with the shooting of a 7-year-old in Providence.

“I hope it is some relief to the city, the family, and city officials, that we were able to bring these two criminals into custody so quickly,” Police Commander Timothy O’Hara said.

Advocates rallied on Florence Street near where the crime took place to give a voice to a rattled community.

“We have to make sure that situations like this do not become the norm, when a 7-year-old gets shot, we need everyone to pull up and show that this is not okay,” one said.

Some delivering a straightforward message to anyone who resorts to violence.

“If they do something wrong, I’m not snitching; I’m telling, so they know not to do wrong,” another added.

The young girl remained in critical condition at Hasbro Children’s Hospital on Friday night.

“This definitely hits differently, and as you can see the reaction from the community, from law enforcement, from our local officials, everyone’s devastated,” Nonviolence Institute Executive Director Lisa Pina-Warren said. “Nothing like this should ever happen to anyone in our community, but especially a 7-year-old child.”

Police said 26-year-old Shaheem Nathaniel, of Cranston, and 19-year-old Ahmari Cabrera, of Providence, were arrested in connection with the shooting.

Officers took the two men into custody on Carleton Street on Friday and then executed a search warrant at an apartment later on.

The incident is still under investigation.