Man Who Threatened ‘I’m Going to End Your Life’ Sentenced to Life for Fatal Mother’s Day Party Shooting

A man from Rhode Island has been sentenced to life in prison by a Superior Court Justice in connection with a murder he committed in 2023. The man had allegedly shot a relative at a Mother’s Day party, according to the authorities.

A 55-year-old man from Rhode Island, identified as Luis Sepulveda, was sentenced to life in prison by Superior Court Justice Kristin E. Rodgers. Justice Rodgers sentenced Sepulveda to two consecutive life sentences for murdering a 44-year-old woman identified as Angel Rodriguez.

A jury in October found Sepulveda guilty of murdering 44-year-old Rodriguez at a Mother’s Day party. Rodriguez was a relative of Sepulveda. The jury found him guilty of first-degree murder and other charges in connection with the shooting that occurred on May 14, 2023.

According to prosecutors, Sepulveda drove from North Carolina to Rhode Island to attend the family party. Earlier that day, the accused and the victim had argued, but it was resolved peacefully. Later, the two were in a fist fight in the garage.

A sentencing memorandum obtained by CBS affiliate WPRI mentions that Sepulveda said, “I told you not to mess with me. You don't know who you are with. Now I am going to end your life,” according to the documents reported by WPRI.

Sepulveda then fired two shots in the air and turned the gun to Rodriguez, hitting her once in the chest. Sepulveda then drove off in a minivan, but was later arrested by police.

A state police trooper found the murder weapon inside Sepulveda’s van. The five shell casings recovered at the scene matched Sepulveda’s gun. Sepulveda also had gunshot residue on his hand.

Paramedics rushed Rodriguez to a hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.

Family members spoke during the sentencing hearing about the impact the murder has had on them.

“Who would have ever thought this man we have known for so long would betray our family like that and put us through this nightmare?’ one woman said, according to courtroom reports filed by WJAR.

“This is something that has not only affected our lives, but has ruined it,” she added.

She called the victim a “strong soul.”

In addition to murder, Sepulveda was also convicted by the jury for discharging a firearm resulting in death, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, assault with a dangerous weapon, using a firearm during a violent crime and possessing a large capacity feeding device.

“These types of cases occur all too often, when a person who is prohibited from owning and carrying a gun obtains one,” said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha.