Providence fatal stabbing suspect appears in court

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — In front of the victim’s family, the Sterling Avenue fatal stabbing suspect appeared in front of a district court judge.

Yomar Espada, 27, is charged with William Sarmiento’s murder Wednesday in Providence. He allegedly stabbed Sarmiento multiple times over a residential dispute.

According to police, Espada was living temporarily with Sarmiento. An argument broke out Wednesday afternoon on the first floor of the Sterling Avenue home.

“That argument turned physical,” said Maj. David Lapatin. “The suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim. The victim then walked out of the front door and collapsed on Judith street.”

Yomar Espada. (Providence police)

Police found Espada two hours after the stabbing.

Lapatin continued, “We put out a car that was of interest. Patrols stopped that car at about 5 p.m. and inside was a male suspect that we believe was the stabber.”

The stabbing marked Providence’s 10th homicide of the year.

Mayor Brett Smiley joined police Thursday, adding, “We have 7 out of 10 people charged already. We need to do more to prevent these crimes in the first place.”

Espada is set to appear in court again in December.