Massachusetts

Teen Shot to Death Outside Providence Nightclub After Birthday Celebration

The Revere, Mass., woman who was gunned down had just turned 19 last week and was out celebrating when she was fatally shot

A teenager from Massachusetts was shot and killed outside a Rhode Island nightclub after celebrating her birthday.

The family of 19-year-old Berta Pereira-Roldan of Revere is living a nightmare. The Northeastern student and 2019 Revere High School graduate, affectionately known as "Bird," was shot to death early Sunday morning outside a Providence club.

"She was an innocent bystander," said the victim's brother, Mario Pereira Jr. "She didn't deserve this, she's at the wrong time, wrong place, wrong time. I guess that's just life, in a way. It sucks."

"She was far away. It's a lost bullet, they say, I don't know," added the victim's father, Mario Pereira Sr.

Investigators say Pereira-Roldan and a 38-year-old woman were outside their parked car on Detroit Avenue when someone up the street fired a gun multiple times.

"These people who were victims, they were not bothering anybody," said Providence Police Major David Lapatin. "They were just outside talking, and this is what happens."

Pereira-Roldan died on scene. The other woman is recovering from serious injuries at Rhode Island Hospital.

Police believe two men standing further up the street were the intended targets.

"I loved her, to death, I would have done anything for her," said Mario Pereira Jr.

Family and friends remembered Pereira-Roldan with a candle-light vigil outside her family's home.

Her father and brother fought back tears because they say that's what she would have wanted.

"She'd just hate that everybody would be crying," her brother said. "we talked about this, it's like when the day does come, it's just stay happy, positive."

"The only thing I can say is I love her," said Mario Pereira Sr.

The superintendent of Revere Public Schools called her "a great student who had a bright future." She says counselors are available at the school for current and former students.

Thousands of dollars have been donated to a GoFundMe account to help pay for her funeral.

Providence Police are continuing to search for her killer.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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