Rhode Island shooting leaves multiple wounded near Providence mall, police say

Multiple people were wounded in a shooting late Sunday near a shopping center just outside Providence, law enforcement, prompting a large police response and an active investigation into motive and whether additional suspects remain at large.

What happened

Police were called shortly after 11: 30 p. m. ET Sunday to reports of gunfire near a shopping mall on the outskirts of Providence. Officers found several people suffering from gunshot wounds; some were taken to local hospitals with injuries described as serious but not believed to be immediately life-threatening. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as bystanders fled the area while emergency crews treated the wounded.

Authorities detained at least one person at the scene. Investigators searched the surrounding parking areas and reviewed surveillance footage as they tried to determine whether the shooting was an isolated dispute, part of a larger confrontation or connected to other recent incidents in the region. A motive has not been publicly established.

Response and investigation

Local police, backed by state investigators, set up a perimeter and canvassed for witnesses in the hours after the shooting. Officials asked anyone with video or information to come forward and warned the community to avoid the nearby area while forensics teams processed the scene. Officers collected shell casings and other physical evidence that will be analyzed as part of the probe.

Hospital representatives confirmed multiple patients arrived for treatment, and family members gathered at nearby hospitals seeking information. Law enforcement emphasized the preliminary nature of details and said additional updates would be provided as interviews and forensic work progressed.

Community reaction and safety measures

Residents and business owners near the mall expressed shock that gunfire erupted during weekend shopping hours. Storefronts in the immediate area temporarily closed while police worked; some businesses reported curtailed hours Monday morning as owners assessed safety and reviewed security footage. Community leaders called for calm and urged anyone with relevant information to share it with investigators.

Officials reiterated standard safety advice: report suspicious activity, preserve any video evidence rather than altering it, and cooperate with investigators. In the wake of the shooting, a local city official said they would convene a meeting with law enforcement and community stakeholders to discuss steps to improve safety around popular shopping areas.

Investigators continue to piece together a timeline and motive. Additional details — including the number of people wounded, the identity of the detained suspect and whether charges have been filed — are expected to be released by authorities as they become available.