Police arrest man who shot 14-year-old in Central Falls

(WJAR) — Gun violence is once again a topic of discussion following the shooting of a teenage girl in Central Falls.

Police have arrested and charged 18-year-old Moseis Maldonado in connection with the shooting.

The 14-year-old girl was shot Thursday morning at a home at 22 Earle St. Central Falls Police Maj. Christopher Reed said the victim did not live at the home where she was found unconscious.

She was taken to Hasbro Children's Hospital, where she died Friday morning.

The city of Central Falls held a news conference Friday afternoon to provide more details about the fatal shooting.

Police are not releasing the victim's name but confirm that she was a Central Falls High School student while the suspect was not.

“He’s not a Central Falls student,” Reed said. “He lives in Central Falls but is not a student and they were acquaintances.”

Police Chief Anthony Roberson said they arrested Maldonado at his home Thursday around 3:30 p.m.

Maldonado faces three charges, including manslaughter, carrying a firearm without a license and transferring a firearm to a juvenile.

He was arraigned in court on Friday.

“That doesn’t help [back] really anything when you lose a life, if you lose a life at all,” Roberson said. “But at least we have the perpetrator off the street.”

Mayor Maria Rivera cried as she spoke about the deadly shooting in her community.

“I am devastated by the tragic loss of a young girl in the community,” Rivera said. “I am committed to working tirelessly with our community and law enforcement to end gun violence in Central Falls. We cannot assume that another young life will be lost.”

Central Falls Principal Dr. Stephanie Downey Toledo said the school was devastated and they were helping students and staff grieve.

“We have an outstanding team of counselors, social workers and psychologists working for the district, so we made sure they are there to support students today,” Toledo said. “But we are also opening Central Falls High School tomorrow from noon to 2 p.m [p.m.]to ensure students have a place to come together and share memories.”

Thursday's tragedy alarmed some residents, who told NBC 10 they were worried about safety in the city.

Rivera wanted to remind the public that gun violence doesn't just happen in Central Falls.

“Police have confiscated more than 100 firearms in recent years and 33 firearms were confiscated in 2024 alone,” Rivera said. “Crime is down in our city and we have reached the lowest violent crime rate in the last 20 years, but we know these efforts are not enough.”

Former Central Falls Mayor and current Rhode Island Treasurer James Diossa also commented on the tragedy.

“I am heartbroken and devastated. They know there is no reason for these incidents to happen,” Diossa said. “That’s why I fight so passionately for gun issues in the State House because of incidents like these.”

A memorial is slowly emerging on Earle Street with a few lit candles and flowers to honor the young life lost.