Elmwood Avenue closed as Providence police investigate
by: Shaun Towne
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Providence police have two people in custody as they investigate an incident Friday morning outside an Elmwood Avenue gas station.
Police told 12 News there was a fight between two customers and the clerk, who had a permitted gun.
At one point, one of the customers got a hold of the gun and fired at least one shot into the pavement, according to police.
No one was hit, but police said the clerk suffered an injury during the fight.
“I saw a gentleman take out a gun and straddle the other guy on the ground. At that point, I was already on the phone with 911 and I ended up hearing a gunshot,” Nick Lugo recalled. “Me and the dog started running because we didn’t want anything to happen to us.”
Evidence markers could be seen on the ground in the area of Whitmarsh Street.
That section of Elmwood Avenue was closed for a short time, but traffic has since started moving through again.
Providence police have called a 2:30 p.m. press conference to discuss the recent violence in the city, including a shooting Thursday night that wounded a 7-year-old girl.
12 News plans to livestream the press conference right here on WPRI.com.