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Luis Sepulveda (WPRI/YouTube).
A man, aged 55, has been condemned to life imprisonment for the fatal shooting of a family member during a Mother’s Day gathering in Rhode Island, officials report.
Judge Kristin E. Rodgers of the Superior Court handed down two consecutive life terms to Luis Sepulveda for the slaying of Angel Rodriguez, aged 44. In October, a jury convicted Sepulveda of first-degree murder and additional offenses related to the incident that took place on Mother’s Day 2023 in Providence.
Prosecutors revealed that Sepulveda traveled from North Carolina to Rhode Island for the family celebration. Earlier that day, a disagreement arose between Sepulveda and Rodriguez but was initially settled without incident. However, the situation escalated into a physical altercation in the garage around 11 p.m.
A sentencing document from local CBS affiliate WPRI disclosed that Sepulveda allegedly threatened, “I told you not to [expletive] with me. You don’t know who you’re [expletive] with. Now I am going to end your life.”
He discharged two warning shots before aiming at Rodriguez, striking him in the chest. Sepulveda fled the scene in a minivan but was apprehended soon after. The murder weapon was found in the vehicle by state police, and all five shell casings collected at the crime scene were linked to his firearm. Additionally, gunshot residue was detected on his hands.
Paramedics rushed Rodriguez to the hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.
Family members spoke during the sentencing hearing about the impact the murder has had on them.
“Who would have ever thought this man we’ve known for so long would betray our family like that and put us through this nightmare?” one woman said according to a courtroom report from local NBC affiliate WJAR. “This is something that has not only affected our lives, but ruined it.”
She called the victim a “strong soul.”
“Not only did Luis rob him of his life, but his opportunity to become a father — something he always wanted,” she said.
In addition to murder, the jury also convicted Sepulveda of discharging of a firearm resulting in death, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, assault with a dangerous weapon, using firearm during a violent crime and possessing a large capacity feeding device.
“These types of cases occur all too often when a person who is prohibited from owning and carrying a gun obtains one,” said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha. “This defendant senselessly murdered Angel Rodriguez, forever changing the lives of Angel’s family, friends, and community. Prior to Angel’s murder, this defendant demonstrated a well-documented pattern of violent criminal behavior, and as we know, violence begets violence. While this sentence can’t bring Angel back, I hope it provides some measure of peace for those who cared for him.”