Man accused in 2023 Mother’s Day fatal shooting convicted of first-degree murder

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The man accused in a 2023 Providence Mother’s Day murder has been convicted in Providence County Superior Court.

Luis Sepulveda, 53, was found guilty of one count of first-degree murder, one count of discharge of a firearm resulting in death and several other charges Thursday.

On May 14, 2023, at approximately 11:04 p.m., Providence police responded to a call of a shooting on Manton Avenue, arriving to find victim Angel Rodriguez, 44, on the ground.

Rodriguez had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and was transported to Rhode Island Hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 11:36 p.m.

According to witnesses, Sepulveda and Rodriguez had argued earlier in the day at the Mother’s Day party at the home.

They resolved the issue peacefully.

A fight broke out later in the garage at the address, and Sepulveda produced a gun, fired two shots in the air and then shot Rodriguez in the chest.

Sepulveda fled the scene in a minivan and was stopped by Rhode Island state troopers on Route 95 south and placed in custody.

A handgun was found in the door of the minivan driver’s door and five spent shell casings were found at the scene.

These rounds were determined to have come from Sepulveda’s firearm through ballistic analysis.

Further analysis also found his DNA on the weapon.

There is no word on when Sepulveda will face sentencing.