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Father of 7-year-old girl killed in Providence now also facing charges
Nelson Pires is facing two counts of child endangerment after he allegedly instigated an altercation that led to his daughter's fatal shooting.
The father of a 7-year-old girl shot and killed in Providence last month is now facing child endangerment charges after prosecutors say he instigated the altercation that led to the fatal shooting.
Ny’eil Pires was sitting in a car with her father and younger brother on Aug. 29 when two men allegedly opened fire on the vehicle, leaving the little girl in critical condition. She died a few days later, and authorities charged two suspects — Ahmari Cabrera, 19, and Shaheem Nathaniel, 26 — with murder and firearms violations.
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Authorities allege the two men were actually aiming for Ny’eil’s father, 27-year-old Nelson Pires, following a confrontation at a nearby 7-Eleven. Nelson Pires was bringing his daughter and her 5-year-old brother to the convenience store for a treat when he got into an argument with Nathaniel, prosecutor Stephen Dambruch explained Thursday, according to The Boston Globe.
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After they left the store in separate vehicles, Pires allegedly pursued the vehicle Nathaniel was riding in, striking its rear bumper twice and driving at passengers as they exited onto Florence Street, the newspaper reported. Dambruch said Nathaniel and Cabrera opened fire as Pires began to back up, according to the Globe.
Pires has been charged with two counts of child endangerment and one count of driving with a suspended license, Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez announced Wednesday.
“In this case, the actions of Nelson Pires demonstrated a total disregard for the safety and well-being of his children,” Perez said during a press conference recorded by WPRI. “The nature of his actions went beyond poor judgment. They … resulted in a loss of an innocent child’s life and placed other vulnerable young lives at significant risk.”
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He added: “No child should be exposed to such dangerous circumstances.”
Ny’eil Pires died just one day before she was due to start second grade at Pleasant View Elementary School, according to the Globe. She would have celebrated her eighth birthday earlier this month.
Nelson Pires appeared in court Thursday, and Judge Melissa DuBose ordered him held on $50,000 with surety, according to the Globe. Boston.com has reached out to his attorney for comment.
“The charges reflect our commitment to upholding the law and holding individuals accountable when their actions put others at risk,” Perez told reporters Wednesday. “We take these matters very seriously, and we will continue to work with the attorney general’s office to ensure justice is served.”
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