Suspect arrested in death of woman shot in car

PROVIDENCE —

A suspect has been arrested for the murder of a young woman in Providence last week.

Derell Johnson, 21, is being held without bail, as he has been charged in the April 1 murder of 21-year-old Briana Giorgio.

Giorgio, of Cranston, was shot to death in her car on Sterling Avenue at Webster Avenue. Providence police said Johnson was sitting inches away from the victim when he shot her.

"Mr. Johnson shot the victim while sitting in her car," Maj. David Lapatin said. "He then fled the area on foot."

When EMTS arrived, Giorgio was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Authorities told NBC 10 News that the murder was a drug deal gone wrong. They said Johnson was buying marijuana from Giorgio outside Webster Avenue Elementary School when he pulled the trigger.

Police also noted that Johnson and Giorgio knew each other from previous drug transactions.

After detectives determined Johnson was a suspect, he turned himself in Friday evening.

Johnson was questioned throughout the weekend, and appeared in District Court Monday afternoon.

Yet, police are still in search of the gun they believe Johnson used to shoot Giorgio.