Providence Police announce two arrests made in the homicide of 12-year-old Aynis Vargas
PROVIDENCE, RI: Mayor Angel Taveras, Commissioner Steven M Paré, Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr. and Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today announced the arrest of two individuals in connection with the tragic shooting death of innocent 12-year-old Aynis Vargas. The incident occurred just before midnight on June 15 in the Hartford Park Housing Development. Three additional innocent women were also victims of gunfire during this attack, Vilma Tineo, age 44 of Providence, Elaine Devargas, age 23 of an unknown address, and Eugelyn Cabera-Martinez, age 33 of Providence.
Ricardo Vasquez, age 20, of Providence was charged with one count of murder, one count of conspiracy to commit murder, one count of obstructing police, one count of filing a false police report, one count of use of a firearm when committing a crime of violence (murder), three counts felony assault with a firearm, three counts of use of a firearm when committing a crime of violence (one count for each shooting victim), and three counts conspiracy to commit felony assault with a firearm.
Branden Castro, age 21, of Providence was charged with one count of murder, one count of conspiracy to commit murder, one count of use of a firearm when committing a crime of violence (murder), three counts felony assault with a firearm, three counts of use of a firearm when committing a crime of violence (one count for each shooting victim), and three counts conspiracy to commit felony assault with a firearm.
"This was truly great work by the members of the Providence Police Department and justice will now be served. This case is an example of old-fashioned police work and the entire department played a role; from the aggressive patrol officers out on the streets to the work of the Detective Bureau, which was nothing short of stellar. I commend everyone involved for their relentless work on this case," said Colonel Clements.
Under the direction of newly promoted Major David Lapatin, the Providence Police Detectives who worked tirelessly on this case were Detective Captain Michael E. Correia, Detective Lieutenant Michael Figueiredo, Detective Sergeant Fabio Zuena, Detective Frank Villella, Detective William Mattera, and Detective Theodore Michael.
This investigation is ongoing.