Suspected gunman who shot four at festival caught

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - A photographer assigned to take photos during a Puerto Rican street fair apparently took a snapshot of a man suspected of shooting four people at the festivities.

David Fontanes, 38, is accused of shooting his girlfriend's ex-husband and three other people, including a 13-year-old boy, on Sunday. Authorities issued a warrant for his arrest after a Providence Journal photographer captured Fontanes on film before he fled the scene.

Fontanes, of Boston, surrendered to authorities there late Sunday night, hours after the shootings in Providence. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday.

The photo shows the suspect coming toward the photographer, gun in hand.

''We have probably one of the best pieces of evidence that the city of Providence Police Department has ever had,'' Providence Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr. said.

The incident started at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday when Luis Colon, the ex-husband of Fontanes' girlfriend, saw some of his children in the crowd of about 2,500 people, police said.

While Colon was talking to one of his daughters he was confronted by Fontanes. An argument ensued and Fontanes chased Colon with a gun, shooting three bystanders before striking Colon in the chest.

Colon was hospitalized Monday in critical condition. Idis Ramon, 49, and Maria Dellacruz, 44, both of Providence, were hospitalized in satisfactory condition.

A 13-year-old boy, whose name was not released because of his age, was treated and released.

At first police tried to confiscate the film, and took both the photographer, Rachel Ritchie, and her cameras to the police station. Ritchie was released with her equipment after discussions with the newspaper's executive editor, and the Journal agreed to share the photo with the police.

Cianci thanked the newspaper for helping the investigation.

The street fair has been held for the past three years, although city officials said it was not sanctioned. Organizers said this year's festival was in memory of Latin band leader Tito Puente, who died in June.