PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — This week, a Providence man was sentenced to prison for the 2021 shooting death of another man at a restaurant in Providence.
On Tuesday, Juan Rivera, 37, received two consecutive life sentences for the Saturday morning murder of Jorge Garcia, 38.
On the morning of Sept. 25, 2021, a masked man reportedly walked into Roque’s Café off Broad Street, where the 38-year-old was eating breakfast with a friend, and shot him six times. Garcia was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to police.
BACKGROUND: Police investigating deadly shooting at Providence cafe
Investigators used surveillance video from the cafe and other surrounding areas to track the suspect’s movements in the moments leading up to and after the shooting. Through the footage, they could identify two vehicles involved in the crime: a maroon sedan and a black truck.
Video showed the two vehicles meeting before the shooting and the driver of the truck hopping into the sedan. The driver later parked the sedan at Wiggin Village and both individuals ran toward the restaurant. Surveillance cameras also captured Rivera running back to the car and driving away after the incident.
A forensic analysis of his cell phone was also conducted to track his location at the time of the murder from his Broad Street residence to the restaurant. Lastly, investigators obtained a photo of Rivera that was taken beforehand, where he is seen wearing the same sweatshirt and sneakers as shown in the footage.
In Nov. 2021, Massachusetts State Police apprehended Rivera at Boston Logan International Airport and took him into custody.
Another man, Julio Castro, was also arrested that same day in Providence.
Following a two-week trial, the jury found Rivera guilty on multiple charges for the murder.
MORE: Man convicted of Providence cafe murder
He will serve two consecutive life sentences at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) for first-degree murder and discharging of a firearm during the commission of a crime in violence, resulting in death. Additionally, the judge deemed him a habitual offender and imposed a 10-year consecutive sentence, the first five years of which are non-parole eligible.