Suspect of fatal Mother’s Day shooting in Providence held without bail

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The man accused in Providence’s fifth homicide of 2023 was held without bail after pleading not guilty at his arraignment on Tuesday.

51-year-old Luis Sepulveda, pleaded not guilty to one count of first degree murder, two counts of discharging a firearm while committing a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of a pistol by a person convicted of a crime of violence, felony assault and possession of a large-capacity feeding device.

Prosecutors at the arraignment allege that on Tuesday, May 15, 44-year-old Angel Rodriguez was fatally shot at a Mother’s Day cookout at a Manton Avenue home.

It is alleged that Sepulveda brought a friend with him to the cookout who did not get along with Rodriguez. The men got into an argument that escalated throughout the night.

At the height of the altercation, officials say Sepulveda fired several shots into the air on his way out of the party, including one that hit Rodriguez. Rodriguez later died from his injuries at Rhode Island Hospital.

Police later learned that Sepulveda was from Rhode Island but moved to North Carolina. He also has a criminal history that dates back to the 1990s.

Sepulveda is due back in court on December 14 for a pre-trial conference.