17-Year-Old Given Life Sentence For Murder Of Central HS Student

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence teenager was sentenced to life in prison on Friday, nearly one year after he killed a 15-year-old Central High School student. Joel Loarca, 17, pleaded guilty to five felony charges, including first degree murder and several firearm charges.

"Today's sentencing resolves the criminal prosecution of this matter, and I am grateful for that measure of justice," said Attorney General Peter Neronha. "Nothing, however, can return the young man who lost his life in this senseless act of gun violence to his family."

On September 5, 2018, Loarca shot and killed William Parsons, 15, outside of the Providence Career and Technical Academy. According to Neronha's office, Loarca was in a verbal fight with two other people outside of the school when a third person walked by and shouted at him. Loarca then pulled out his pistol and shot at the third person, hitting Parsons, who was a bystander in the crowd.

"It was a tragic and horrific day one year ago in Providence when an innocent 15-year-old Central High School student, William Parsons, was shot and killed outside of a school," said Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Paré. "Today's plea brings some closure to the family and brings justice to this senseless, irresponsible, and criminal act of violence. William's smile and incredible personality will never leave the hearts and minds of those he touched."

Loarca ran away and was treated for a gunshot wound approximately half a mile away. He later admitted that the wound was accidental and self-inflicted, having shot himself as he ran away. He additionally admitted that he was involved in the Hanover Boyz gang.

Using video surveillance footage, police were able to find the gun, which Loarca had hidden in an empty lot, wrapped in his shirt.

On August 27, Loarca waived his status as a juvenile and was arraigned as an adult in Providence County District Court and ordered held without bail. He pleaded guilty to one count each of first-degree murder, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of a firearm on school grounds, assault with a dangerous weapon and discharge of a weapon while committing a crime on Friday and was sentenced to a life sentence plus 10 years at the Adult Correctional Institution in Cranston.