Vigil held for Woonsocket teen killed in shooting

By: Ellie Romano

Email: ERomano@ABC6.com

Twitter: @ERomanoABC6

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WLNE) – Residents in Woonsocket are saying goodbye to a teen who was killed by gun violence.

17-year-old NyAsia Williams-Thomas was shot and killed Wednesday night at the Plaza Village apartment complex. She was sitting in the driver’s seat of an SUV when she was shot. Police believe the car she was in was targeted, but it may have been a case of mistaken identity. 

Her killer is still at large. Police continue to investigate the shooting.

On Thursday night, a vigil was held for Williams-Thomas at St. James Baptist Church. A large crowd of friends and family came to pay their respects. 

“She always had a bright smile on her face,” said Sarah Vitiello, who went to school with Williams-Thomas.

“We didn’t expect this to happen to such an innocent girl. She was so young. She had her life ahead of her,” said Kayvona Parenteau, another classmate.

Candles, flowers, and pictures were laid out on the steps of the church in honor of the teen’s memory.

“Everyone in the community is hurting, especially when we lose a young life like that,” said family friend Thomas Gray. “You just feel a sense of terrible loss.”

Williams-Thomas’ mother spoke to the crowd at the vigil and said gun violence in the community needs to come to an end so no other innocent lives are taken.

Woonsocket High School will be offering support counseling to anyone who needs it for the rest of the week.

©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2019