A Providence man, Luis Sepulveda, was sentenced on April 10 to serve two consecutive life sentences for the murder of Angel Rodriguez during a Mother’s Day party in 2023, according to Attorney General Peter F. Neronha.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about gun violence and its impact on families and communities. The sentencing took place in Providence County Superior Court before Justice Kristin E. Rodgers, who also declared Sepulveda a habitual offender and imposed an additional 10-year non-parolable sentence to be served after the life terms.
Sepulveda, age 55, was found guilty by a jury on October 23, 2025 of first-degree murder and several firearm-related charges including discharge of a firearm resulting in death and possession of a large capacity feeding device. During the trial, evidence showed that on May 14, 2023 Sepulveda shot Rodriguez as he left a family gathering on Manton Avenue following an earlier argument between the two men that had initially been resolved peacefully.
Attorney General Neronha said: “These types of cases occur all too often when a person who is prohibited from owning and carrying a gun obtains one. 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. I am grateful to the Providence Police Department for their collaboration on this case.”
According to testimony presented at trial and police reports cited in court documents, officers responded around 11:04 p.m., finding Rodriguez with a gunshot wound; he was pronounced dead at Rhode Island Hospital shortly after arrival. Investigators recovered five shell casings at the scene along with DNA evidence linking Sepulveda to the handgun used in the shooting.
Providence Police Colonel Oscar L. Perez said: “Gun violence will never have a place in our community. The men and women of the Providence Police Department work tirelessly to bring justice to those who commit violent crimes like this one. I want to thank our officers and our partners in the Attorney General’s Office for their hard work on this difficult case.”
Special Assistant Attorneys General Daniel C. Hopkins and Edward G. Mullaney prosecuted the case alongside Detective Alicia Hersperger from Providence Police Department.
