Teen Charged With Cranston New Year's Eve Gun Attack

CRANSTON, RI — A 16-year-old was charged with shooting up a Cranston home with a mother and her two young children inside on New Year's Eve, police said.

A bullet penetrated an exterior wall of the Pleasant Street house shortly before 9:30 p.m. and entered a room where one of the children, a toddler, was lying down, the Cranston police said in a media release.

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"The child reported feeling paint and plaster debris fall onto her as the round narrowly missed her by only inches," the release said.

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The teen hit the wrong house, according to the release, putting two rounds into the half of a duplex housing the toddler, her mother and an infant instead of the attached residence alongside it.

"Following a thorough investigation led by Cranston Detective Sergeant Jeff Chapman with the assistance of the Providence Police Department, detectives identified and arrested a 16-year-old juvenile along with the 9 mm firearm in connection with the shooting," the release said. "Forensic analysis has confirmed the firearm seized was used in this crime."

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The teen was charged with drive-by shooting, possession of a firearm by a minor and firing in a compact area, according to the release.

"This was an extremely dangerous and reckless act that could have easily resulted in the death of an innocent child or family member," Cranston police Major Todd Patalano said in the release.

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"The fact that a toddler was lying down when a bullet passed within inches of her is absolutely chilling," Patalano said. "This individual showed a complete disregard for human life, and I am grateful that no one was physically injured."

The teen was taken to the Rhode Island Training School, according to the release.

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