Murder Rate Up 20% This Year in Providence - With Nearly 3 Months Left

Murder Rate Up 20% This Year in Providence - With Nearly 3 Months Left

The Providence murder rate is up 20 percent to date this year and there are nearly three months left in the year.

According to FBI data, Providence had ten murders in 2018 and this year the city has already seen 12 killings.

Thursday morning's fatal stabbing at Nara Lounge on Federal Hill marks the second person killed this week.

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Early on Sunday morning, 19 year-old-woman was killed while out on her birthday. 

Berta Perreira-Roldan, of Revere, MA was out celebrating when she was fatally shot, and another woman -- Crystal Peloquin, 38, of North Providence, was shot several times, but is expected to survive. 

Latest Killing

According to Providence Police Major David Lapatin, a 47-year-old man was stabbed to death at the Federal Hill club.

No arrests have been made in either of the killings.

Lapatin said in a press conference on Thursday morning, that the police were unsure if the Nara had security on duty.

VIDEO: Watch Press Conference BELOW

According to one Federal Hill resident, who witnessed the aftermath — it was “just a matter of time.”

“We all knew this club was next — it was just a matter of time. Kind of strange to happen on a Wednesday night," said Mike White. “Now it’s going to hurt business again. Plus we have our huge annual Columbus Day feast next weekend.”

White said the street was closed for 5 hours while police were investigating. 

Nara's Latest Trouble

Nara Lounge is owned by Dhwani Patel and Kanan Patel, according to RI business records.

Both of them are donors to Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza — donating $1,500, according to Rhode Island state campaign finance records.

The club has been brought before the Providence Board of Licenses on numerous occasions in the past.

According to city records, Nara was brought before the board for incidents dating back to 2013. The lounge was cited in May of 2017 for illegal bottle service and was fined $750. 

The murder marks the second in the city in less than a week, after a 19-year-old woman was shot and killed — and not the intended target — while out with friends celebrating her birthday 

White spoke to the impact of violence on the neighborhood, which is still reeling from the after-hours stabbing death of 28-year-old Stephan Cabral this summer — and how to deal with the area’s nightlife. 

“It’s just too bad there are many victims here. The person who lost their life and his family, then the businesses and property owners and the establishment where it happened will probably be shut down permanently now,” said White. 

White spoke to how he said he believes the Hill is generally safe during the day — and dinnertime hours. 

“Normal people don’t need to worry about safety. It’s not happening at restaurants or at dinner time. These [murders] are related to a situation,” said White. “The hill is a safe place — I’m out and about all night until 4 a..m., between work, eating, and meeting friends.”