‘Extensive criminal histories’: Suspects in targeted Garden City Center shots fired in court Thursday

CRANSTON, R.I. (WLNE) — The Cranston Police Department has released the identities of two suspects in connection to a targeted shots fired incident at Garden City Center on Wednesday.

Cranston police said 21-year-old Andres Pizarro, of Fall River, and 31-year-old Andre Ross, of Pawtucket, were arrested and faced with numerous charges by both Cranston police and Rhode Island State Police.

Police responded to the center just after 11:45 a.m. for reports of gunfire in front of the Verizon store.

According to Cranston police, a retired Rhode Island State Police Lieutenant saw the incident and told officers that a man wearing black clothing shot at another man several times.

The man fled into the Verizon store, and was not injured.

Other witnesses described the suspect vehicle to officers, who discovered it was stolen out of Swansea.

Minutes later, RISP found the vehicle on Route 6 and began a pursuit, which continued through Providence’s Smith Hill neighborhood and into the Providence Place Mall garage.

Inside the garage, police said the suspects allegedly fled on foot but were soon caught by RISP and Providence police.

Police found that one suspect allegedly had a .25 caliber handgun in their possession, and seized it for testing to confirm if the weapon matches the shell casing from the incident at Garden City.

Through surveillance video, police were able to observe the suspects allegedly waiting near LA Fitness at the center for a “extended period of time.”

When the man left the gym, a shooter then allegedly shot at him five times at “close range,” police said.

Cranston police said the victim has refused to cooperate with investigators and has a “lengthy criminal record and known gang affiliations in Massachusetts.”

Additionally, Cranston police said both suspects have “extensive criminal histories involving violent and narcotics-related offenses.”

Police added that Ross will be “presented as a Superior Court violator” since he had previously been released on bond for a charge of manufacturing/delivery/possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance in a separate case.

Pizarro was charged by Cranston police with assault with intent to commit a specified felony, felony assault with a dangerous weapon, discharge of a firearm while committing a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a permit, discharge of a firearm in a compact area, and two counts of felony conspiracy.

RISP charged Pizarro with carrying a pistol without a license, obstruction of an officer, and resisting arrest.

Ross was charged by Cranston police with assault with intent to commit a specified felony, felony assault with a dangerous weapon, and two counts of felony conspiracy.

RISP charged Ross with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, reckless driving/eluding – high-speed pursuit, two counts of leaving the scene of an accident – attended vehicle, obstruction of an officer, and resisting arrest.

Pizarro and Ross are being held at RISP headquarters and scheduled to be arraigned on July 10.

Anyone with information is asked to call Cranston police at 401-942-2211.

The incident remains under investigation.