Two Men Wounded in Woonsocket
Two men were wounded in a double shooting in Woonsocket on Monday. According to local reports, the incident occurred following a disturbance. The shooting is currently under investigation by local authorities.
- A shooting on Rathbun Street on a Monday night in November 2025 resulted in the deaths of three people, identified as 40-year-old Kimberly Pieranuzi, 45-year-old Donald Roderick Jr., and 24-year-old Sean Rivera. Police have indicated that the incident was a murder-suicide and that there is no ongoing threat to the community. - In a separate incident in July 2025, a 29-year-old man was left in serious condition after a shooting on Robinson Street. Witnesses suggested the shooting may have been targeted, and police were searching for two suspects. - The Woonsocket Police Department has been utilizing a community policing approach, which involves partnerships with community organizations and other law enforcement agencies to address issues that contribute to crime, such as drug and alcohol use, unemployment, and poverty. - To enhance public safety, the city has implemented a Flock Safety Camera system, consisting of 15 automated license plate reader cameras. The Woonsocket Chief of Police, Thomas F. Oates, has expressed strong support for the program, citing its effectiveness in crime prevention and apprehension of individuals involved in illegal activity. - For businesses, the city has launched new initiatives to foster economic growth. The Woonsocket Small Business HUB recently opened in the Woonsocket Education Center to provide free resources and guidance to local entrepreneurs. Additionally, the GROW Woonsocket initiative, a partnership with the Social Enterprise Greenhouse, aims to support small businesses and nonprofits in distressed communities. - The city's economic development plan focuses on three key areas for growth: Downtown, the Highland Corporate Park, and Diamond Hill. The plan aims to support major employers in the city, which include CVS Health, Honeywell, and Landmark Medical Center. - The city of Woonsocket is actively working on redevelopment projects, including the transformation of the Millrace District into living and working spaces and converting Truman Drive to a two-lane road to improve traffic flow and manage runoff. - In early 2026, Woonsocket city officials have been in discussions with the Narragansett Bay Commission regarding the potential sale of the city's wastewater treatment plant. This comes as the city has faced challenges with sludge disposal due to equipment failures and capacity limitations at its incinerator.
