Woonsocket shooting confirmed to be a double murder-suicide

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Woonsocket police say a man fatally shot two people before taking his own life in a double murder-suicide Monday night inside a Rathbun Street home.

Officers responded to the residence around 6:45 p.m., where they discovered three people with gunshot wounds. The victims were later identified as 45-year-old Donald Roderick Jr., 40-year-old Kimberly Pieranunzi, and 24-year-old Sean Rivera.

According to investigators, the incident began when Rivera and Pieranunzi’s 19-year-old daughter were discussing their relationship. During the conversation, Rivera allegedly pulled out a gun and threatened her. Police said he then assaulted the young woman, who fled to her mother’s bedroom for help. Rivera followed her and shot Pieranunzi multiple times, authorities said.

The 19-year-old fled the home and sought assistance at a nearby business, where police were contacted.

In the time the 19-year-old fled the home and before police arrived, Roderick returned home from work, and police said Rivera shot him before turning the gun on himself.

Woonsocket police recovered a .380-caliber firearm at the scene, which had previously been reported stolen in Maine.

Woonsocket double murder-suicide.