Pawtucket Police Arrest 2 In Connection With 1st Homicide Of 2020

PAWTUCKET, RI — Two people are facing murder charges following a fatal New Year's Day shooting on Pawtucket's Baxter Street. Jack Doherty, 23, of Albany, New York, and Shaylyn Moran, 18, of Pawtucket were arrested in connection with the crime on Wednesday night.

The shooting happened around 8:15 p.m. on the 100 block of Baxter Street, police said. When officers arrived, the victim, Cheryl Smith, had several gunshot wounds in her chest as a man wearing dark clothing ran from the scene. Smith, a 54-year-old Pawtucket resident, was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Police determined that the person responsible was likely staying at the Hampton Inn on George Street. There, officers arrested Moran and Doherty, who had a nine-millimeter handgun in his possession. Both are set to be arraigned on charges of firt-degree murder and conspiracy in Providence District Court at 2 p.m. on Thursday.