Man beaten to death in Providence, suspect in custody

Providence Police are investigating the city’s 9th murder of the year after a man was found brutally beaten outside an apartment complex on Hartford Avenue Wednesday night.

33-year-old DeShawn Anderson facing a judge Thursday charged with felony assault in connection with the beating death of 34-year-old Jonathan Zapata.

Police expect those charges to be upgraded as soon as the medical examiner determines the exact cause of death.

"The court should be well aware that the victim of this case is in fact deceased after the alleged assault by the hands of this defendant,” said the prosecutor.

Police believe the fight began after words were exchanged between Zapata and Anderson’s young daughter.

"What we are hearing initially is that the victim may have said something off-color to the suspect’s daughter, which caused the suspect to go after him,” said Maj. David Lapatin. "As we saw it all the injuries occurred with the use of hands and not a weapon."

Police were called to 268 Hartford Avenue around 5pm on Wednesday. The 34-year-old was rushed to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

"You know we are still investigating still want to see if anyone else is involved. This investigation is not over,’ said Lapatin.

Bail was set for Anderson at $200,000 with surety.

(C) WLNE-TV 2016