4 Boys, Ages 11 And 12, Charged With Beating Man To Death In Providence

PROVIDENCE, RI — Four boys, ages 11 and 12, were charged with beating a man to death in Providence.

The four youths were charged with murder and conspiracy to commit felony assault in connection with a Jan. 19 incident on Manton Avenue, Kristy dosReis, the chief public information officer for the Providence Department of Public Safety, said in an email.

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Two of the juveniles were arraigned in Family Court yesterday, dosReis said, and the other two will be arraigned later this week.

"Witnesses reported observing several individuals assault an adult male, knocking him to the ground and repeatedly kicking and punching him before fleeing the area" shortly before 7:30 p.m., dosReis said.

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The beaten man, 51-year-old Rony Alonso, was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where he died, dosReis said.

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"Detectives and the Youth Services Bureau conducted an extensive investigation, including a video canvas of the surrounding area," dosReis said. "As a result of that investigation, police identified four juveniles who were later taken into custody and initially charged with felony assault and conspiracy."

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An autopsy determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma, dosReis said.

"Based on these findings, the charges were upgraded," she said.

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