Providence Man, 24, Killed In Cranston Shooting

CRANSTON, RI — A murder investigation is underway in Cranston after a man was killed early Tuesday morning, police said. At this time, the motive for the shooting is not know.

Police were called to Harris Avenue just after 4 a.m. The victim, a Hispanic man, was found lying on the ground, dead from a gunshot wound, police said. He was later identified as 24-year-old Jamal Vasquez of Providence.

A stolen semi-automatic handgun was found next to his body, police said. The shooter may have left the scene in a dark-colored sedan that was seen heading south on Cranston Street.

Police are working to interview people at a nearby house party that happened at the same time as the shooting, as well as checking surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses to help identify any witnesses or suspects. No arrests have been made at this time.

This is the first homicide in the city in the past 18 months, police said. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to reach out to Detective Jon Nelson at 401-477-5150 or Detective Salvador Sanchez at 401-477- 5141. Tips can be submitted anonymously through the TipSoft portal.

"We wish to offer our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Vasquez’s family," the department said in a statement. "We will use all department resources to identify and arrest the person(s) responsible."