Police said the suspect was identified with help from casino surveillance and several law enforcement agencies.
LINCOLN, R.I. — A 27-year-old Providence man was arrested after a stabbing late Tuesday at Bally’s Twin River Casino, where Lincoln police said officers found that the injured man had already been taken to a hospital and the case quickly spread across city and state lines.
Police identified the suspect as William Pona of Providence. Investigators said the attack was reported at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, and officers learned early in the response that the victim was no longer at the scene and had been transported for medical treatment. The case drew in Lincoln police, Rhode Island State Police, Providence police, and the casino’s security and surveillance teams as officers worked to identify the suspect, locate the victim, and sort out where key parts of the encounter had taken place.
Authorities said officers responded to the casino after receiving a report of a stabbing and found a fast-moving situation with limited information. According to police, the victim had already left the immediate scene by the time officers arrived, complicating the first stage of the investigation. Investigators then moved to review surveillance footage, gather witness information, and trace the movements of the people involved. Lincoln police said that effort led them to Pona, who was found at the scene and taken into custody. In a statement, the department said investigators were able to “rapidly gather information” with help from partner agencies and casino personnel. Police have not publicly described the relationship between Pona and the victim, said what sparked the confrontation, or explained exactly where the stabbing happened before the victim was taken for treatment.
Court records cited by local broadcasters show Pona was charged with felony assault or battery and disorderly conduct. He was arraigned in Kent County District Court and held on surety bond, according to those reports. A judge also issued a no-contact order barring him from contacting the victim. Police did not immediately release the victim’s name, age, hometown, or medical condition beyond saying he was receiving treatment at a local hospital. That left several central questions unanswered, including how badly he was hurt, whether a knife was recovered, and whether prosecutors plan to pursue additional charges. The police department said the matter remained under active investigation, a sign that detectives were still collecting statements, reviewing video, and matching timelines from multiple locations.
The case stood out not only because it involved a stabbing at one of Rhode Island’s best-known casino properties, but also because investigators said the early facts crossed jurisdictional boundaries. Lincoln police noted that the victim was not in town when officers first tried to locate him, turning what began as a local assault call into a wider search for evidence and witnesses. That kind of coordination can be critical in casino cases, where surveillance systems capture large public areas but witnesses may leave quickly and people involved may travel from one community to another within minutes. By naming the state police, Providence police, and Bally’s security and surveillance teams, Lincoln police pointed to a response built on camera review, information-sharing, and rapid communication between agencies rather than a single-scene investigation.
Police have not said whether the confrontation began inside the casino, in an adjoining area, or before the people involved reached the property. They also have not said whether anyone else was injured or whether bystanders intervened. What is clear from the public record so far is that officers treated the call as urgent, moved quickly to identify a suspect, and made an arrest before the night was over. That swift arrest may narrow the investigation’s focus, but detectives still appear to be working through the details needed to explain the sequence of events in full. Any added charges, updated bond decisions, or more information about the victim’s injuries are likely to emerge through court proceedings or a later police update.
As of the latest public reports, Pona had been arraigned, the victim was receiving medical care, and Lincoln police said the investigation was continuing. The next milestone is likely to come through court action or a new statement from detectives as they complete witness interviews and review the remaining evidence.
Author note: Last updated March 6, 2026.