Teenager Fatally Stabbed At Providence Place Mall: Police

PROVIDENCE, RI — A teenager was fatally stabbed in the food court of the Providence Place Mall, Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements said Thursday afternoon. What started as an argument quickly became violent, he said.

Police were called to the mall just after 11:30 a.m. Six people were involved, all young men in their late teens to early 20s, Clements said. After the argument, one of the men involved ran up and stabbed the victim, a 19-year-old from Providence. He was rushed to the hospital, where he died.

Four people were arrested, Clements. Charges have not yet been issued. Officer are confident the main attacker is in custody, he said. Two of the suspects ran out of the mall and were chased by two Providence patrolmen on bicycles, who arrested them off-property. None of the suspects, nor the victim, have been identified.

All the men involved knew each other, police said, and they were known to police. The attack "stems from earlier disputes, for sure," Clements said. It was unclear if there will be any further arrests.

Police believe this to be the first homicide committed within the mall.

"This mall is very safe," Clements said, adding that police and security patrols will be stepped up in the wake of the stabbing.

The mall remained open Thursday afternoon, as only the crime scene and surrounding area were closed to the public.