After shooting, officials urge peace

PROVIDENCE, RI (WPRI)- City officials are issuing an urgent plea to Providence residents following the recent violence there.

A 37-year-old man is in critical condition after being shot in the head at the intersection of Douglas Avenue and Veazie Street Thursday afternoon.

Providence city councilor David Salvatore represents the area and has an urgent plea to residents.

"Do not, please do not, retaliate in any form. It's going to perpetuate more violence and that's what we're trying to avoid", Salvatore said.

Police say this is the fifty first shooting in the city this year.

Public safety commissioner Steven Pare was at the scene and says most of these attacks are not random.

"There is a culture that they're going to take care of disputes on the streets. We need to break that culture and show that the community is not going to tolerate it", Pare stated.

Authorities tell Eyewitness News that they have a vague description of the suspect but need witnesses to speak up.

This shooting comes just one day after officials announced a new program to combat street violence.