4 Boys, Ages 11 And 12, Charged With Beating Man To Death In Providence

Witnesses saw the youths knock the 51-year-old man to the ground before repeatedly kicking and punching him, police said.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 12:23pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Four boys, ages 11 and 12, have been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit felony assault in connection with the beating death of a 51-year-old man in Providence, Rhode Island. Witnesses reported seeing the juveniles knock the man to the ground and repeatedly kick and punch him before fleeing the scene.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the growing problem of youth violence in some urban areas, raising concerns about the factors that may be contributing to such behavior among pre-teens and the need for effective intervention and prevention programs.

The details

According to police, the incident occurred on January 19 on Manton Avenue in Providence. Witnesses reported seeing several individuals assault the adult male, knocking him to the ground and repeatedly kicking and punching him before fleeing the area shortly before 7:30 p.m. The beaten man, identified as 51-year-old Rony Alonso, was taken to Rhode Island Hospital where he later died. Detectives and the Youth Services Bureau conducted an investigation, including a video canvas of the surrounding area, which led them to identify four juveniles who were initially charged with felony assault and conspiracy. An autopsy determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma, and the charges were subsequently upgraded to murder.

  • The incident occurred on January 19, 2026.
  • Two of the juveniles were arraigned in Family Court on January 27, 2026, and the other two will be arraigned later this week.

The players

Rony Alonso

A 51-year-old man who was beaten to death in Providence.

Kristy dosReis

The chief public information officer for the Providence Department of Public Safety.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Witnesses reported observing several individuals assault an adult male, knocking him to the ground and repeatedly kicking and punching him before fleeing the area”

— Kristy dosReis, Chief Public Information Officer, Providence Department of Public Safety

What’s next

The judge will decide on whether to allow the four juveniles out on bail at their upcoming arraignments.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the urgent need for comprehensive youth violence prevention programs and interventions to address the root causes of such behavior among pre-teens, in order to promote community safety and protect vulnerable members of society.