Rhode Island

Rhode Island Man Kills Pregnant Wife, Two Children, Then Himself

On January 2nd, West Greenwich police discovered the bodies of Danielle Arruda, her two young children, and her husband, Nicholas Arruda, all deceased from gunshot wounds in their home. Nicholas Arruda, who had a prior domestic arrest with unrelated charges dropped, is believed to have committed the murders before taking his own life using an M4 semiautomatic weapon. The lack of signs of struggle and the family being in pajamas suggests the event occurred quickly. Police have yet to establish a clear motive for the murder-suicide.

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Rhode Island Church Arsonist Avoids Terrorism Charges, Sparking Outrage

Kevin Colantonio pleaded guilty to setting fires around Shiloh Gospel Temple, a predominantly Black church in North Providence, Rhode Island, in February. The arson was deemed a hate crime, motivated by the church’s congregants’ race and religion, as evidenced by writings found in Colantonio’s home. Swift action by first responders prevented catastrophic damage, though property damage did occur. Colantonio faces up to 56 years in prison and a $1 million fine on four counts, including obstruction of religious practice and assault on a federal officer.

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