A Tiverton man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Yordi Arevalo, which occurred in 2022. The sentencing took place at Newport County Superior Court on December 2, 2024. Shamik Steele, aged 33, pleaded guilty to charges including second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and felony assault. Superior Court Justice Stephen P. Nugent handed down a sentence of life plus five years at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI).
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha emphasized the importance of enforcing gun laws in his statement: “Those who commit crimes of violence are legally barred from possessing guns, and this case demonstrates why.” He highlighted that Steele had a previous conviction for a violent crime and was prohibited from owning or operating a firearm.
The State was ready to prove that Steele shot and killed Arevalo inside a Newport bar if the case had gone to trial. On February 14, 2022, Newport Police responded to a shooting report at Friendly Sons of Newport. Witnesses testified that Steele and two friends were drinking at the bar before leaving and returning shortly after. Upon their return, Steele fired several rounds inside the building, hitting Arevalo four times before fleeing.
Surveillance footage helped detectives identify Steele as the shooter due to prior police interactions with him. A witness also described the shooter as having a neck tattoo depicting Jesus Christ's face; Steele has such a tattoo.
Newport Police Chief Ryan Duffy expressed gratitude towards law enforcement efforts: “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.”
Assistant Attorney General Eric Batista and Detective Stephen Carrig led the investigation and prosecution.