Police identify victim, suspect in East Providence stabbing
Arrest warrant issued for Providence man
EAST PROVIDENCE — East Providence Police have identified both the victim and the suspect in a stabbing incident, which took place late Saturday evening, Dec. 10.
Jasper Williams, 24, of 64 Lyon Avenue, was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with severe wounds suffered when he was stabbed near his home at the intersection of Warren Avenue. He remains in critical condition.
The suspect is James Stevens, 29, of 469 Pine St., Providence. Mr. Stevens remains at large. Police said he is believed to be driving a white, Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV with the Rhode Island license plate number JH-259.
An active arrest warrant has been issued for Mr. Stevens on a charge of Assault with Intent to Commit Murder.
"Within hours of our investigation our detectives division came up with this name, but at this time we don't want to give out how we came up with that name," EPPD Chief Chris Parella said in a Monday morning, Dec. 12, press conference. "But it was fast. They were able to move quick on it. We had an arrest warrant signed within a few hours after this happening. We won't comment about how we got the name, but we're convinced that's who it is."
The condition of Mr. Williams has not improved since Saturday. In fact, he remains on life-support.
"I won't get into specific number, but I will say it's multiple torso and head injuries," Chief Parella added about the victim. "And I will say the wounds are life-threatening."
Mr. Stevens has a criminal record, the chief added. He has once previously been arrested and charged with felony assault, but has no other record of violent crimes.
Mr. Williams, who also has a criminal past, was represented by his mother, Alecia Williams, at the press conference Monday. Ms. Williams pleaded with Mr. Stevens to avail himself to police.
"He's a very good young man. He's not perfect, but he's righteous...You don't expect to see your child in a situation like this," Ms. Williams said. "I just want James, wherever you are, to turn yourself in. It's not worth running. I forgive you...We don't want you to hurt anyone else."
On the condition of her son, Ms. Williams, who at times spoke of him in the past tense, said he was undergoing tests, but that she had not yet been presented with the choice of having to remove him from life-support systems. Ms. Williams, who has lived in North Carolina for the past six years and urged her son to join her there, said she would remain in Rhode Island for as long as needed.
Asked about any potential motive linking the two men, Ms. Williams, who seemed to allude to a relationship between her son and the perpetrator, said she didn't know if it was "envy" or "jealousy." She said her son had gone to college and was popular and was trying put his life back in order.
"I don't have any malice or hatred towards you. I just want you to do the right thing," Ms. Williams tearfully added, again addressing her words directly to Mr. Stevens. "I just want this to end."
