Two Men Charged in Murder of Former NK Girl, 12

Two Providence men have been charged in the murder of a 12-year-old former North Kingstown girl who went to Quidnessett Elementary School last year and the year before.

Branden Castro, 21, and Richard Vasquez, 20, of Providence, face charges that they shot and killed Aynis Vargas at a graduation party on June 15 in Providence. Castro and Vasquez are also charged with the shootings of three women at the party.

District Court Judge Christine S. Jabour ordered both men held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston following their July 17 arraignments.

Atty. Gen. Peter Kilmartin said the men could serve two consecutive life sentences each if convicted.

Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven M. Pare and Police Chief Hugh T. Clements Jr. said that Castro and Vasquez planned the shooting to get back at a rival gang, and specifically targeted Vargas's neighborhood as part of an ongoing feud.

The two men are members of the Harriet Street gang, the Providence Journal reported, quoting the police officials.

"There are groups in some neighborhoods that get guns and shoot at each other," Pare said. "That neighborhood was specifically targeted."

Police said the arrests are the result of dedicated detective work and investigators had trouble getting help from the neighborhood. 

Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements said the arrests are not a victory, but "there will be justice."

With additional reporting by Mark Schieldrop, Editor of Cranston Patch.