17-Year Old Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2018 Murder of Central High Student

17-Year Old Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2018 Murder of Central High Student

A 17-year-old has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2018 murder of a Central High School student, announced Attorney General Peter Neronha.

The murder was RI's first school shooting.

Joel Loarca, 17, pleaded guilty to five criminal counts and was given a life sentence plus an additional 10 years to serve at the ACI for the 2018 murder of 15-year-old William Parsons outside of the Providence Career and Technical Academy (PCTA).

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“Today’s sentencing resolves the criminal prosecution of this matter, and I am grateful for that measure of justice. Nothing, however, can return the young man who lost his life in this senseless act of gun violence to his family. Such violence, endemic to this country, often takes its greatest toll on the young,” said Neronha.

The sentencing comes after Loarca pleaded guilty to one count each of first-degree murder, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of a firearm on school grounds, assault with a dangerous weapon, and discharge of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.

According to Neronha’s office, he waived his status as a juvenile and was arraigned in Providence County District Court, where he was ordered to be held without bail.

The Incident

As GoLocalProv reported, at approximately 2:00 p.m on September 5, 2018, Loarca fatally shot and killed Parsons with a .357 Magnum Taurus revolver while outside of the Providence Career and Technical Academy.

Before the shooting, Loarca engaged in an argument with two juveniles while outside of the PCTA.

Following that altercation, a third person walking by engaged in an aggressive exchange of words with Loarca.

In response, Loarca drew his revolver and fired a shot in the direction of the third individual. William Parsons was a bystander in a crowd of students and was struck and killed by the bullet.

Providence Police were able to identify Loarca as the shooter after he was treated by rescue personnel for a gunshot wound approximately one-half mile from the PCTA.

Loarca admitted that he had unintentionally shot himself while fleeing the PCTA. Police were able to use video surveillance to locate the revolver used in the shooting, which Loarca had attempted to hide in a deserted lot, wrapped in his shirt.

Loarca also admitted that he was a member of the Hanover Boyz gang.