A CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND, FIREFIGHTER James Pagano was hosting a birthday party for his son’s 9th birthday on the front lawn of his house Sunday. When one of the kids’ ball went into his next-door neighbor’s yard, he came out and accosted Pagano. Then the neighbor, Nicholas Gianquitti, went back into his house and came out with a gun, then started shooting at Pagano.
The firefighter was trying to shield the children from the gunfire when he was fatally struck in the back. Lt. Pagano had just been promoted this January and worked at Cranston FD station 1.
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Lt. James Pagano, Cranston F.D.
(Ch. 10 image)
Neighbors said that Gianquitti was known for his temper and his dislike of children playing in his yard.
Gianquitti is being labeled by the press as an “ex-cop,” which is correct. But he suffered a disability injury and had only served for 6 months on the Providence police force in 1991. He was arraigned today and is being held without bond. He is scheduled to return to court for a hearing on June 2.
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Nicholas Gianquitti at today’s arraignment
(Providence Journal photo)
The Providence Journal has the STORY.
WXFT-TV has this video report:
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