Shooter, Victims Of Westerly Shooting Identified

WESTERLY, RI — Police have identified the victims and shooter responsible for Thursday morning's shooting at the Babcock Village apartment complex. Two people, including the shooter, died while two others were seriously injured.

On Friday, Westerly police identified the shooter as Joseph Giachello, a 66-year-old resident of the complex. Giachello shot three women, two employees and one resident, in the building's main entrance area before returning to his residence, where he was found dead of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to WJAR, Giachello was set to be evicted.

Westerly Police Chief Shawn Lacey identified the victims as Julie Cardinal, 47, of Westerly, Robin Moss, 38, of Cranston and Donna Thornley 66, of Westerly. Cardinal, an employee, was dead when police arrived Thursday morning, police said. Moss, also an employee, was in "extremely critical condition" and was taken to Westerly Hospital before she was flown to Yale New Haven Hospital by helicopter. Thornley, a resident, was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where she was in stable condition following surgery, police said.

A GoFundMe page set up to cover Cardinal's funeral expenses raised nearly double its $25,000 goal in less than a day.

"Julie Lynn Cardinal was a beloved mother, daughter, aunt, and friend," the page reads in part. "There are no words to describe the pain in her loved ones hearts. Her Gypsy Soul will continue to shine through her family and those she touched throughout the community."

According to The Providence Journal, Cardinal was a dedicated member of the community and single mother of five.

The shooting happened just after 10:30 Thursday morning, Westerly police said. Using surveillance footage from the complex's main office, police were able to identify the shooter and find his apartment, where they found him dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police departments from around the region, including Hopkinton, Rhode Island, Stonington and Groton Connecticut, along with Rhode island State Police, were called to the scene to assist. All Westerly and Stonginton schools were placed on lockdown until around 12:45 p.m.

Westerly Hospital, meanwhile, was "on a heightened state of security," remaining open for patient care but closing its doors to any visitors, according to a hospital spokesperson.

Note: GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.