Violent weekend in Rhode Island leaves 3 dead

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Three people were killed in separate incidents in Rhode Island over the weekend.

A Pawtucket woman is set to be arraigned on Monday after confessing to stabbing her mother to death.

Sharita Watkins, 28, apparently called 911 around 10:15 p.m. Saturday and stated that she had stabbed her mother, 53-year-old Mary Melendez.

Melendez was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital, where she died from her injuries.

Sharita Watkins confessed to stabbing her mother to death on Saturday night. (Pawtucket police)

Detectives said Watkins later gave a full confession.

In nearby Central Falls, a man was shot to death in an incident that police believe was not a random act of violence.

Police said a man in his late 20s was shot multiple times around 9:20 p.m. in the area of Dexter Street and Sumner Avenue.

The man died on scene. His name was not immediately released.

Cumberland police investigate a deadly stabbing on Front Street, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (WLNE)

Cumberland police said a 40-year-old man was stabbed to death on Front Street earlier in the afternoon.

Police said Otis Diggs was attacked around 3 p.m. The stabbing was believed to be targeted.

Diggs later died at Rhode Island Hospital.

Police in Central Falls and Cumberland are both searching for suspects.