Woonsocket, RI; On August 22, 2020 at about 5:35pm, police and EMS
were dispatched to Walnut Hill Apartments located at 2133 Diamond Hill
Rd. for a domestic disturbance. On arrival, officers found a woman, later
identified as Erika Belcourt 40 years old, lying in the parking lot with serious,
visible injuries but able to speak with officers. When fire and rescue
personnel arrived, the began treating Belcourt and transported her to
Rhode Island Hospital.
Thus far, the investigation reveals the Belcourt and her boyfriend of several
years, James Grilli* 37 years old of Pawtucket (RI), engaged in a heated
verbal argument in Belcourt’s apartment. The argument moved outside
to the parking lot where Grilli got into his car. Belcourt tried to prevent
Grilli from leaving by standing in front of Grilli’s vehicle. It is alleged that
Grilli intentionally accelerated, knocking Belcourt down and running over
her. Grilli fled the scene and was later located and taken into custody
several hours later in Pawtucket, RI by the Pawtucket Police Department.
While this investigation continues, and after consultation with the RI
Attorney General’s Office, Grilli is being charged with the following:
• Domestic 1st Degree Murder
• Domestic ADW
• Domestic Breaking and Entering
*No suspect photo available.
 

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