A shocking and heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, where a man fatally shot his pregnant wife, their two young children, and then himself. Police described the scene as one of the most horrific they’ve ever encountered.
The family, Danielle Arruda, 39, her two children, Adel, 5, and Felex, 2, were found in their home on Cheyenne Trail. According to authorities, Danielle’s husband, Nicholas Arruda, 39, used a semi-automatic rifle to carry out the killings before turning the weapon on himself. Danielle was seven months pregnant at the time.
West Greenwich Police Chief Richard Ramsay spoke to reporters, calling the crime scene devastating. Officers first went to the family’s home on January 3 for a wellness check after Danielle’s coworkers raised concerns. She had missed work for two days, something they said was completely out of character.
“They knew something was wrong,” Ramsay explained. “Danielle was dependable, and with her being heavily pregnant, her absence raised alarms.”
When police arrived at the house, no one answered the door. They forced their way inside and discovered the unimaginable. The main door was locked and secured with a safety chain from the inside, suggesting no one had left after the incident. Inside, they found all four family members had been shot multiple times.
Nicholas, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, is believed to have committed the crime sometime between the evening of New Year’s Day and the early hours of January 2. The rifle he used was legally owned, according to police. Authorities are still investigating to determine why Nicholas carried out such a horrific act.
“We’re looking for any signs, anything that might explain why this happened,” Ramsay said. “Right now, we don’t have a clear motive.”
Nicholas had a history of violence, including a felony assault charge against a woman he had dated in 2014, records revealed. This dark past adds to the questions surrounding the tragedy.
The family’s loss has left loved ones shattered. Jesse Arruda, Nicholas’s brother, spoke openly about the pain and anger he feels. “My brother committed the most cowardly, despicable act one could imagine,” he said. “This is the exact opposite of what a man should do. My heart is broken for the children, my sister-in-law, and her family.”
This tragedy has left the West Greenwich community reeling, as they grapple with the senseless loss of a young family.
