Nineteen-year-old Nicholas Bennett was killed during a fatal stabbing on Anthony Street in Coventry, Rhode Island, on Monday night, October 26, 2026, in what his grieving family says was an act of selfless protection.
Coventry police officers responded to a report of a stabbing at 12 Anthony Street around 10:15 p.m., according to WJAR. As investigators continue to unravel the timeline of that Monday night altercation, Bennett’s loved ones are left facing an abrupt, devastating reality.
“Terrible,” Jayson Gagnon, Bennett’s brother, said when asked to describe the past 24 hours, and “Broken,” added Bennett’s sister-in-law, Amber Bennett.
Teenager Pursued Music Career with Quiet Kindness
Behind the unfolding police investigation lies the portrait of a teenager whose life was defined by his quiet kindness and a relentless passion for music. Family members describe Bennett as an old soul who dreamed of making it big in the music industry entirely on his own terms.
“He wanted to do it the old-fashioned way,” Amber Bennett said.
Though introduced to music by his brother, Bennett quickly taught himself how to play nearly an entire arsenal of instruments. Primarily a guitar player, he could also pick up the piano, trumpet, and drums. For Gagnon, the sound of his younger brother practicing filled the house with relentless energy.
“Every time I would go there all I would hear is him shredding,” Gagnon recalled.
Family Believes Teenager Died Shielding Someone from Harm
Police have not publicly confirmed the exact circumstances surrounding the altercation on Anthony Street, but Bennett’s family believes he was killed while attempting to shield someone else from harm. When asked if it surprised them that the 19-year-old would risk his own safety, his relatives dismissed the idea instantly.
“That is Nick,” Amber Bennett said. “That is Nick. Through and through.”
An unidentified suspect was initially scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, October 27, but that arraignment was canceled shortly after 2 p.m. Law enforcement agencies, including the Coventry Police Department, the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office, and the state medical examiner’s office, remain involved in the ongoing investigation.
For now, Bennett’s family is left waiting for clarity while leaning on memories of the young man who lived authentically and loved deeply.
“We hope the full truth comes out, and justice is served,” Ryan Bennett, Nick’s brother, said. “That’s all we hope for.”
