Providence man pleads guilty in 2021 Pawtucket drive-by shooting murder

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A Providence man has pleaded guilty in Providence County Superior Court to a 2021 Pawtucket drive-by shooting murder, according to the office of Attorney General Peter F. Neronha.

Jahcolin Rodrigues, 23, pleaded guilty on August 15 to one count of first-degree murder and one count of discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle.

On May 15, 2021, Rodrigues spotted the victim, Leonardo Tavares, while driving in Pawtucket.

Rodrigues circled the block and then fired multiple shots into Tavares’ Nissan Rogue, killing him.

Rodrigues was identified by multiple witnesses through security footage of the incident that was obtained by Pawtucket police detectives.

Rodrigues had an ongoing feud with members of the Bucket West street gang and believed that Tavares was involved with the gang.

Todd Alicea, of Pawtucket, was also charged with murder and multiple other charges in the shooting.

Rodrigues will be sentenced on September 9 and is being held at the ACI.