Benefit held for local murder victim

WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) - The family of a local murder victim held a memorial fundraiser in his honor Friday night.

The West Valley Inn in West Warwick was packed with dozens of friends and relatives of Carl Cunningham who was shot and killed on January 22nd while trying to protect his friend.

Cunningham was only 23-years-old when he was killed.

25-year-old Tony Gonzalez was later charged with the murder after he arrived at 433 Nausauket Road early Sunday morning on the 22nd and shot Cunningham in what was later described as a case of mistaken identity.

Police learned that Gonzalez believed Cunningham to be someone else and that is why he was shot.

Family members were still coming to grips with the loss of Cunningham at Friday's benefit.

"I did this for him...to see how many people cared about him is awesome. How many hearts he touched, you couldn't ask for anything better," Cunningham's Aunt Tammy Beard said who organized the event.

Prior to the benefit, those who knew Cunningham held a candle lit vigil on his front lawn the night of Wednesday, January 25th, as they honored his memory.