Newport Man Charged for Alleged Beating of Teen with Brass Knuckles at Cranston Carnival

CRANSTON, RI—The man wanted for his role in a bloody brawl at the carnival at Mulligan's Island in Cranston over Memorial Day weekend that was captured on a cell phone video and then went viral has been arrested—along with seven other people.

Of the eight people charged, said Cranston Police Chief Col. Michael J. Winquist Jr., five are juveniles. And all fled the scene, leaving behind a 16-year-old victim bloodied and bruised with a head wound after being beaten with brass knuckles.

"The behavior I saw on the videos that captured this incident was deplorable and can only be described as barbaric," Winquist said. "This carnival has been held in our City in the past and is known as a family event, enjoyed by many.  It is unfortunate that these individuals acted in a manner that jeopardized the safety of all of those in attendance.  Such conduct will not be tolerated in Cranston and will lead to arrest.  I commend those citizens who assisted our detectives with this investigation, so that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions."

The fight broke out on the evening of May 28. Everyone had scattered from the scene by the time responding officers arrived and the victim was transported to Hasbro Children's Hospital.

Detectives began their investigation and soon identified a suspect, 18-year-old Wilson Rivera, of 7 Bristol Road, Newport.
Rivera allegedly hit the 16-year-old victim with the brass knuckles. He was arrested this morning and arraigned in Third Division District Court in Warwick on charges of felony assault, possession of a weapon other than a firearm and disorderly conduct. He is being held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston.

Detectives reviewed video of the fight which, along with interviews from numerous witnesses, led to police identifying more suspects. 

Along with the five juveniles, arrested were Tayla Barreira, 18, of 60 Perry Hill Road, Coventry, and Patrick Perkins, 19, of 2 Border St., West Warwick. Both were charged with disorderly conduct.

The juveniles are between 15 and 17 and live in West Warwick and Coventry, Winquist said.