Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced the conviction of a Providence man for murder and related firearms offenses in connection with a 2021 shooting. Kelvin Maldonado, 32, was found guilty by a jury on January 29, 2025, after a 12-day trial presided over by Superior Court Justice Kristin E. Rodgers. The charges include two counts of murder, three counts of discharging a firearm during a violent crime, and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon.
"This defendant brought a gun to a fistfight, and as a result, Mr. Diallo and Mr. Mbaye tragically lost their lives," stated Attorney General Neronha. "With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively enforce all of Rhode Island’s gun laws to achieve safety, justice, and accountability. I hope this verdict provides some closure for both victims’ families, and my thanks to the Providence Police Department for their hard work on this difficult case."
The prosecution successfully demonstrated that Maldonado murdered Abdoulaye Diallo and Abass Mbaye while also firing at another male victim. The incident occurred on June 20, 2021, when Providence Police responded to reports of a shooting near Cheshire and Salina Streets at around 3:20 a.m. Officers found Diallo unresponsive on the ground and Mbaye in the passenger seat of a Range Rover; both were declared dead at Rhode Island Hospital.
Witnesses testified that Diallo and Mbaye attended an event with Maldonado but were asked to leave after not paying an entry fee. A physical altercation ensued outside the venue where Maldonado shot both men.
Investigators used video footage from four sources to identify Maldonado as the shooter. A witness reported seeing him with a firearm in the vicinity where shots were fired. Additionally, cell phone location data placed him at the scene during the time of the crime.
"The Providence Police Department works tirelessly to keep our streets safe and protect our community from those that perpetrate violent crime," said Providence Police Colonel Oscar Perez. "I want to thank the men and women of the Providence Police Department and the Attorney General’s Office for their work in bringing this defendant to justice."
The investigation was led by Assistant Attorney General John Moreira, Special Assistant Attorney General Daniel Hopkins along with Detective Thomas Richards from the Attorney General's Office; Detectives Raymond Majeau and Theodore Michael (Retired) from Providence Police also contributed significantly.