Central Falls Police investigate shooting death at 4 King Street

CENTRAL FALLS – On April 23, 2017, at 1:40AM officers were dispatched to 4 King Street for a report of a shooting that had occurred.  The caller advised dispatch a male had been shot in the basement area of the building.

Arriving officers located a male subject later identified as Mael Vasquez (20) sitting on the porch stairs at 4 King Street cautioning officers that he had a gun and he had shot someone in the basement.

He went on to exclaim that while in the basement he was confronted by an intruder who assaulted him with a blunt object.  Vasquez further stated that he brandished a firearm from his jacket pocket in which he pointed and discharged at his assailant in self-defense.

Officers entered the basement and discovered an unresponsive individual later identified as Maurice Botelho (43) of Central Falls suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.  Rescue personnel transported him to Rhode Island Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Members of the detective bureau conducted investigation which determined that Vasquez was in possession of a stolen firearm at the time of the shooting.  Based on interviews and evidence uncovered during the intensive investigation, Vasquez – at this juncture – will be charged solely with possession of the stolen firearm.  He was just recently arraigned before a justice of the peace and held on 25,000 surety bail.

The Central Falls Police Department will continue to work in conjunction with the Office of the Rhode Island Attorney General on the shooting investigating with grand jury action being probable.