Central Falls police announce arrest as news of 14-year-old's death spreads

Editor's note: This story was updated to correct the day when the shooting occurred.

CENTRAL FALLS − An 18-year-old resident faced a manslaughter charge on Friday morning after a 14-year-old girl died from a gunshot wound, according to the Central Falls police.

The arrest of the young man, Moises Maldonado, stems from his involvement in a shooting inside a home on Earle Street on Thursday morning , the police said.

Police announced the arrest just a few hours after they disclosed that the young shooting victim had died at Hasbro Children's Hospital.

Many aspects of the shooting on Thursday remained unclear, although Central Falls police Detective Maj. Christopher A. Reed said investigators had determined that a gun had been in Maldonado's hands when the girl was fatally shot.

Her identity remained closely held by police as word of her death rippled through the city, bringing Central Falls' mayor to tears.

Two teenagers were acquaintances

The victim was "an acquaintance" of Maldonado, Reed said. The Earle Street house where she was shot was the home of another friend, he said.

The 14-year-old was enrolled in school while Maldonado, who was taken into custody Thursday afternoon, is not a student, said Reed. It appeared that the girl had intended to go to school, he said.

Reed declined to provide any additional specifics on the circumstances that led to the shooting, saying those matters are part of an ongoing investigation.

In addition to the manslaughter charge, Maldonado was charged with possession of a firearm without a license and transferring a firearm to a juvenile.

The complaint accuses Maldonado of giving a 14-year-old boy a 9mm Glock handgun without obtaining the approval of a parent or a legal guardian.

He appeared for an arraignment on Friday before Judge Pamela Woodcock-Pfeiffer in District Court, Providence, where a complaint identified him as Moises Y. Maldonado Rosado of Cowden Street.

At the time of the shooting, Maldonado was free on personal recognizance following his arrest in Pawtucket, where he was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle on Monday.

On Friday, he was held in advance of a Nov. 4 hearing, according to a clerk.

Central Falls mayor gives emotional reaction

"We've come a long way in making Central Falls safer," said Mayor Maria Rivera, "but every incident like this reminds us that more needs to be done. We fight because we care about the safety of all of our residents."

Rivera sniffled as she reflected on the most recent gun control legislation to win passage in Rhode Island's General Assembly.

Her voice became unsteady.

"We know more needs to be done," she said, "because this is not acceptable."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Central Falls police announce arrest as news of 14-year-old's death spreads