19-year-old charged with murder in fatal Providence pedestrian bridge stabbing

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — An arrest has been made in connection with the fatal stabbing of Gerald “Jerry” Blair on the Providence pedestrian bridge.

Police announced Thursday that Joseph LaRoche, 19, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Blair, 40, who was reportedly experiencing homelessness. Authorities also described LaRoche as transient.

The stabbing happened shortly before 11 p.m. Tuesday on the downtown pedestrian bridge. Officers responding to reports of an assault found Blair suffering from multiple stab wounds to the chest. First responders immediately began lifesaving measures before he was transported to Rhode Island Hospital, where he later died.

According to investigators, the violence began after an altercation involving several people on the bridge. Police said Blair was not initially involved in the dispute but stepped in during the confrontation. Investigators allege that LaRoche then pulled out a knife and fatally stabbed Blair.

Police said Blair and the suspect were not known to each other before the incident.

Detectives with the Providence Police Identification spent hours processing the crime scene, collecting evidence, reviewing surveillance footage, and interviewing witnesses as they worked to identify those involved.

Authorities said the investigation remains active and expect additional arrests as detectives continue to determine the roles of others who were present during the incident.

Blair’s death marks Providence’s fourth homicide of 2026, matching the total number of homicides recorded in the city during all of 2025.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Providence Police Department.