An 18-year-old from Rhode Island, already facing legal troubles due to a prior weapons charge, has found himself in deeper water following a violent incident at a bustling beach. Willy Medina, a Pawtucket resident, was apprehended by the Rhode Island State Police on Friday for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that disrupted a day at the beach earlier in the week, sending visitors into a frenzy.
Medina, facing a charge of felony assault, was swiftly handed over to the Narragansett Police Department, where he was formally arraigned, according to Narragansett Police Chief Kyle Rekas.
The events unfolded on May 19 at the popular Narragansett Town Beach, where a large crowd of teenagers had gathered. In the midst of the gathering, chaos erupted when reports of a stabbing reached the authorities. Responding officers arrived to find three individuals suffering from minor stab wounds.
This latest incident has drawn significant attention, not only due to the setting and number of people present but also because it involves Medina, who was already navigating the legal system on a separate weapons offense. The case highlights ongoing concerns about safety and violence in public spaces, particularly those frequented by young people.
Authorities allege Medina was involved in a May 19 stabbing at Narragansett Town Beach as hundreds of teenagers packed the area.
Police officers responded to the beach amid reports of a stabbing and found three people with minor stab wounds.
No suspects were identified at the time. Rekas didn’t specify how investigators linked Medina to the beach violence.
At the time, authorities said several other disturbances broke out as hundreds of people on the beach attempted to leave simultaneously, officials noted.
Two unidentified adults were arrested and charged with simple assault, resisting arrest, and obstruction of justice.
Police noted those arrests did not appear to be related to the stabbings.
Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the violence.
At the time of the crime, Medina was out on bail for a separate incident in which he was charged with carrying a pistol without a license or permit, firing in a compact area, vandalism, and disorderly conduct.
