Two arrested in shooting death of 16-year-old Rhode Island teen Dillon Viens

Police have arrested an adult and a juvenile on various charges concerning the homicide of a Rhode Island teenager.

The Johnston Police Department arrested a juvenile male Thursday in connection with the shooting death of 16- year-old Dillon Viens that occurred on February 12th, 2022, at a residence on Cedar Street in Johnston. The juvenile was arraigned at Family Court and was charged with Manslaughter, Using a Firearm while Committing a Crime of Violence, 2 counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Minor, and Possession of Ammunition by a Minor.

Today, 30-year-old Marios Kirios of Central Avenue, Johnston, was also arrested in connection with the fatal shooting. He was charged with Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor as a result of his unsecured firearm being used in the shooting death. Kirios will be arraigned at the Kent County Court House on April 28th, 2023. On February, 16th, 2022, also in connection to this case, the Johnston Police Department charged Kirios with 5 misdemeanor counts of unsafe storage of a firearm.

The incident was ruled a homicide based on the State Medical Examiner’s report corroborated by interviews conducted by Johnston Police Detectives and physical evidence recovered at the scene. The Johnston Police Department acknowledged the assistance provided by the Office of the Attorney General and the State’s Medical Examiner during the course of this lengthy investigation.

The Johnston Police Department offered condolences to Dillon’s family and friends and stated that the tragedy underscores the importance for owners of firearms to properly secure them to prevent shooting deaths such as these.