Providence police to provide update on city’s 6th homicide of the year

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Providence police and Mayor Brett Smiley will provide an update on the city’s sixth homicide of the year Thursday morning.

Police arrested Kevin Giron, 19, at an apartment on Union Avenue on Wednesday. He is accused of fatally shooting Juan Carlos Morales, also 19, at a summer gathering at Donigan Park on Saturday night.

Chief Oscar Perez said a group of young men were partying and drinking alcohol when Giron and Morales walked away from the group toward the concession stand.

A 19-year-old man was shot and killed near Donigan Park in Providence on Saturday night, June 10, 2023. (WLNE)

Perez said the two may have gotten into an argument.

Police suspect that Giron fled the park after shooting Morales in the chest. Morales was pronounced dead when officers arrived on scene.

The department searched for Giron all week, surrounding a home on Hudson Street for hours on Monday.

Providence police shared this previous booking photo of Kevin Giron.

Police sent out a photo of Giron from a previous arrest as they searched the city.

Giron was considered armed and dangerous since no weapon was recovered.

Authorities said the shooting was targeted and there was no threat to the public.