Police identify suspects, say investigation relied on surveillance and forensic digital evidence
Providence police announced Friday that four men were arrested in connection with a shooting that wounded five people at a pop-up party held in an empty lot near Acorn Street and Harris Avenue earlier this week. The shooting occurred at about 4:31 a.m. on Monday, according to the department.
Authorities say they used a combination of surveillance footage, license plate reader data, witness interviews and forensic digital evidence analysis to identify the suspect vehicle and the people believed to be involved. Police took Jordan Bourdeau, Amarian Robinson, Gabriel Laboy and William Bizier into custody on Friday and arraigned them in Providence District Court.
"Officers used surveillance footage, license plate reader system, witness interviews, and forensic digital evidence analysis to identify the suspect vehicle and the people involved," Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez said.
Charges and court action
Police said Bourdeau and Robinson are accused of firing the weapon, Laboy allegedly drove the vehicle that carried the shooters, and Bizier was an occupant of that vehicle. The four face multiple counts including felony assault, using a firearm while committing a crime of violence, and conspiracy to commit felony assault. Bourdeau and Robinson additionally are charged with discharging a firearm in a compact area.
The arraignment drew family and friends to the gallery; the court record notes emotional reactions as the judge read the charges. Bail was set at $200,000 with surety for each defendant. The judge ordered LaBoy, Bourdeau and Bizier held without bail because of alleged separate bail violations in pending cases.
Scene findings and local context
Investigators recovered 28 shell casings and an open folding knife at the lot, underscoring the volume of gunfire and the chaotic conditions at the gathering. The incident adds to concerns about unsanctioned late-night "pop-up" events that bring large groups into industrial and residential pockets of the city.
- When: about 4:31 a.m., Monday (earlier this week)
- Where: empty lot near Acorn Street and Harris Avenue, Providence
- Injuries: five people shot
- Evidence recovered: 28 shell casings and an open folding knife
Why this matters to Providence residents
Impacts of this episode ripple beyond those injured and arrested. Residents near informal gathering spots have raised alarms before about noise, trash and violence tied to unsanctioned parties. City and police leaders face pressure to balance enforcement, community outreach and public safety measures as these events become more visible.
Police said their investigative work paired traditional detective techniques with technology-driven tools; officials have credited such methods with enabling quicker identifications in recent cases. The arrests now move the matter to the courts, where prosecutors will pursue charges and the facts are tested in hearings and, potentially, trial.
| Defendant | Accused role | Key charges |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Bourdeau | Alleged shooter | Felony assault; discharging a firearm in a compact area; conspiracy |
| Amarian Robinson | Alleged shooter | Felony assault; discharging a firearm in a compact area; conspiracy |
| Gabriel Laboy | Alleged driver | Felony assault; conspiracy; other charges |
| William Bizier | Alleged vehicle occupant | Felony assault; conspiracy; other charges |
The Providence Police Department did not immediately release additional details about the victims’ conditions. As the case proceeds, local residents said they expect continued law enforcement presence and community conversations about preventing similar outbreaks of violence at makeshift gatherings.
