Man in custody shoots detective..

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http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/B73883/

 

 

Man Held Without Bail In Killing Of Police Detective

 

 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- A man who allegedly shot a detective to death inside police headquarters was ordered held without bail Monday on a murder charge.

 

Esteban Carpio, 26, did not enter a plea in Providence District Court to a charge that he killed Det. James Allen Sunday inside police headquarters as Allen interviewed him about his possible involvement in the stabbing of an 84-year-old woman.

 

Police said Carpio, who was not handcuffed, got hold of Allen's gun, shot him, broke a third floor window and jumped out. He was captured after a struggle a few blocks away, police said.

 

Carpio, his face badly swollen and disfigured from bruises, appeared in court on Monday wearing a white mask that obscured the bottom half of his face. Authorities said Carpio had injured his leg, arm and head in the fall from the third-floor window, and had violently struggled as police took him into custody.

 

As he was brought into the courtroom, hands and legs shackled and held by several officers, his mother and another woman began wailing. One yelled, "Oh my God, look what they did to him." Sherrifs wrestled both women from the seats and out of the courtroom as they screamed about a coverup and police brutality.

 

A third woman remained in the courtroom, hands over her mouth, rocking in her seat. After the arraignment she yelled, "I love you, baby," at Carpio.

 

Carpio nodded his head to respond to questions during his arraignment, but did not speak, except to say "I love you, Mom," as he was led out of the courtroom.

 

The single charge of murder carries a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole because it involves the alleged killing of an on-duty police officer, according to Providence police. The case will now go to a grand jury.

 

Police Chief Dean Esserman on Sunday would not say how Carpio managed to get Allen's weapon, and would not discuss other details leading up to the shooting. He also would not discuss the protocols for carrying weapons inside police headquarters or for interviewing potential suspects, and would not say if there were witnesses.

 

Police planned a news conference Monday afternoon to discuss the case.

 

Carpio had recently been experiencing mental problems, family said outside court on Monday.

 

"He needed help and we couldn't get it and we tried and tried," said Dolores Irish, who identified herself as Carpio's aunt. "He didn't deserve this. He's a victim just as much as anybody else in this."

 

A man who identified himself as Carpio's uncle but would not give his name said the family had tried to get Carpio psychiatric help. The uncle said Carpio recently had been admitted to then released from several facilities.

 

The uncle said the family was sorry for what had happened, and also said it was clear from Carpio's injuries Monday that he had "obviously been beaten very badly."

 

Allen, 50, of Johnston, was married and had two daughters, and had been a police officer for 27 years.

 

"Jimmy Allen passed in the noblest way possible. He gave his life trying to make our lives safer," said Mayor David Cicilline. "He died a hero."

 

Deputy Police Chief Paul Kennedy said Allen was an experienced investigator and one of the department's longest-serving detectives. His father is retired Providence police Capt. Lloyd Allen.