A 33-year-old Tiverton man will serve life in prison plus five years for the 2022 murder of Yordi Arevalo inside a Newport bar.
Shamik Steele pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and felony assault in Newport County Superior Court on December 2, 2024.
Superior Court Justice Stephen P. Nugent handed down the sentence, which will be served at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI).
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha emphasized the importance of enforcing gun laws to prevent violent crimes. “Those who commit crimes of violence are legally barred from possessing guns, and this case demonstrates why,” Neronha said. “This defendant was previously convicted of a violent crime and could not legally own or operate a firearm; the likelihood of recidivism is too high.”
The shooting occurred on Feb. 14, 2022, at Friendly Sons of Newport. According to witness testimony, Steele and two friends were drinking at the bar before leaving and returning a short time later. Upon his return, Steele entered the building and fired several rounds, striking 25-year-old Arevalo four times before fleeing on foot.
Newport Police detectives reviewed surveillance footage from inside the bar and positively identified Steele as the shooter, recognizing him from prior police interactions. A witness also described the shooter as having a neck tattoo depicting the face of Jesus Christ, which matched a tattoo on Steele’s neck.
Newport Police Chief Ryan Duffy commended the efforts of law enforcement in bringing Steele to justice. “When firearms are in the hands of those ready and willing to use them for violence, tragedies like this occur,” Duffy said. “We must continue to be vigilant in our efforts to remove firearms from our streets for the safety of our community.”
The case was investigated by Detective Stephen Carrig of the Newport Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Eric Batista.
Neronha expressed hope that the life sentence would provide some closure for Arevalo’s family. He also thanked the Newport Police Department for their work on the case.
The guilty plea came as the state prepared to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. The evidence included witness testimony, surveillance footage, and the distinctive neck tattoo that helped identify Steele as the shooter.
“Our collective enforcement of these commonsense gun laws is so important because it will save other families from such tragic outcomes as this one,” Neronha said.
Newport Police React
On Wednesday, December 4, Newport Police Department provided What’sUpNewp with the following press release regarding the incident;
On December 3, 2024, Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that a Tiverton man has been sentenced in Newport County Superior Court to serve life in prison for the 2022 murder of 25-year-old Yordi Arevalo. At a hearing on December 2, 2024, before Superior Court Justice Stephen P. Nugent, Shamik Steele (age 33) plead guilty to one count of second-degree murder, one count of conspiracy to commit murder, and one count of felony assault. Judge Nugent sentenced the defendant to serve life plus five years at the ACI.
“Those who commit crimes of violence are legally barred from possessing guns, and this case demonstrates why,” said Attorney General Neronha. “This defendant was previously convicted of a violent crime and could not legally own or operate a firearm; the likelihood of recidivism is too high. Our collective enforcement of these commonsense gun laws is so important because it will save other families from such tragic outcomes as this one. I hope this life sentence provides some measure of closure for Yordi’s family, and thanks to the Newport Police Department for their great work on this case.”
Had the case proceeded to the trial, the State was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant shot and killed the victim inside a Newport bar.
On February 14, 2022, Newport Police responded to Friendly Sons of Newport for a report of a shooting. According to witness testimony, the defendant and two friends were drinking at the bar before they left, returning a short time later. When they returned, the defendant walked into the building and shot several rounds, striking the victim four times before fleeing the establishment on foot.
Detectives reviewed surveillance footage from inside the bar and positively identified the defendant as the shooter, having known the defendant’s appearance from prior police interactions. Moreover, a second witness described the shooter as having a neck tattoo depicting the face of Jesus Christ, and the defendant has a tattoo on his neck that matches that description. “I want to thank the men and women of the Newport Police Department and the Attorney General’s Office for their work in bringing this defendant to justice,” said Newport Police Chief Ryan Duffy. “When firearms are in the hands of those ready and willing to use them for violence, tragedies like this occur. We must continue to be vigilant in our efforts to remove firearms from our streets for the safety of our community.” Assistant Attorney General Eric Batista and Detective Stephen Carrig of the Newport Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case.
