Memorial for young girl shot, killed in Providence grows

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A memorial of candles and teddy bears continues to grow on Florence Street, honoring a seven-year-old girl killed in a shooting last week.

“It’s a child, it’s a baby, only seven years old,” city councilman Oscar Vargas, who represents the area, said. “Living the dream, living the life, like any other children in the neighborhood.”

The Providence Police Department announced Monday that the young girl died after spending several days in critical condition at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.

A motive for the shooting is not yet known, and police have not identified the girl.

Neighbors and friends say her name is Ny’Eil, adding the girl and her family didn’t deserve this fate.

“We’re here for them, we want to be united through all these days with them,” Reverend Lourdes Burgos said. “I hope that God gives them strength through all these days, because it’s going to be hard.”

Residents in the area continued to call for an end to gun violence, saying this incident should serve as a wakeup call.

“It can happen to anybody, and nobody deserves that,” Burgos said. “Especially not Ny’Eil.”