Suspect in city shooting still at large
22-year-old man, on probation and free on bail from other pending charges, has lengthy criminal record
WOONSOCKET — The 22-year-old man police say was responsible for a weekend shooting that left two people seriously injured has a criminal history that involves two prior gun charges.
At the time of the alleged shooting, Joshua Rojas was also on probation from a 2013 conviction in a closed case and free on bail from pending charges filed in 2016 – both of which involved firearms.
In the latter case, the Warwick Police Department charged Rojas with breaking and entering and larceny or sale of a stolen firearm in September. The judiciary’s web site indicates that Rojas is free on $20,000 surety bail while the case is pending.
The Woonsocket Police Department charged Rojas with larceny or sale of a stolen firearm and two additional counts – felony assault and extortion – in 2013.
The case was eventually transferred to the Attorney General’s Gun Court, where the firearms charge was dismissed in a plea agreement.
But Rojas received a sentence of 12 years in all, including credit for time served at the Adult Correctional Institutions, plus 114 months of suspended time and probation that kicked in on June 25, 2014.
Court records in the judiciary’s database show that Rojas was arrested at least once every year from 2013 on charges that include simple assault, disorderly conduct, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, disorderly conduct and driving without a valid license.
At about 1:30 a.m. Saturday, police say Rojas was among two groups of individuals who clashed outside a three-family at 27 Foundry St. after some of the same people got into an argument outside a nightclub in Providence.
As the feud turned physical, Rojas allegedly opened fire, striking Magaly Desjardin, 25, in the face. A second victim, identified by police as Carlos Carasquillo Baez, 28, suffered a gunshot wound to the torso.
Both were transported to Rhode Island Hospital for injuries that police described as serious but not life-threatening.
Detective Sgt. Matt Ryan said detectives were actively searching for Rojas, who remained at large as of press time on Monday. Police described him as a dangerous and possibly armed individual and they warned anyone who runs across Rojas to be careful.
The police obtained a warrant for Rojas’ arrest on two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and discharging a firearm in a populated area.
“Do not approach this suspect but call the police if you see him,” the police said in a statement. “Woonsocket police have an active warrant for (Rojas) in this shooting.”
Anyone with information regarding Rojas’ whereabouts is urged to contact the WPD at 401-766-1212 or on the anonymous tip line at 401769-4444.