A Providence man has been found guilty of murder in the 2021 shooting at Roque’s Café on Broad Street. Juan Rivera, 37, was found guilty of shooting and killing 38-year-old Jorge Garcia on September 25, 2021.
The Attorney General’s Office says Rivera walked into the restaurant masked and shot Garcia six times, killing him.
Surveillance footage from the restaurant and the surrounding area was obtained by investigators. The footage showed two cars involved in the shooting.
Investigators identified a maroon Toyota Corolla and a black Dodge Ram. The suspects drove up to Roque’s before the shooting. The driver of the Dodge got out and walked into the restaurant while the other person stayed in the car. Then, the suspects got back into the Dodge and drove away.
The Attorney General’s Office says they were also able to obtain a photo of the suspect before the murder. In the photo, the suspect is wearing the same sweatshirt and sneakers as seen in multiple surveillance videos.
Investigators say they were able to track the suspect’s location on the day of the murder. The suspect’s cell phone location was tracked to Broad Street, where the restaurant is located.
“Gun violence happens so often that we can become numb to the endless stories of death and injury by firearms,” said Attorney General Peter Neronha. “We must remember each victim had a life and a reason for living, and continue to fight for common sense gun laws that keep our communities safe. I hope this victim’s family is able to find some semblance of peace as a result of this verdict. And I thank the Providence Police for their partnership in this case and so many others.”
Rivera is currently being held without bail. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
