Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that a Central Falls man has been convicted in Providence County Superior Court for the 2020 murder of Joel Rosario, who was 22 years old at the time of his death.
On March 12, 2025, after a 17-day jury trial presided over by Superior Court Justice Maureen B. Keough, Jairo Esdel Galva, aged 26, was found guilty of several charges: second-degree murder, discharging a firearm while committing a crime of violence resulting in death, committing a drive-by shooting, and carrying a firearm without a license.
Galva is currently held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) awaiting his sentencing hearing set for April 21, 2025.
"This case is another tragic example of a petty argument that turned deadly because the defendant chose to settle a score with a gun," stated Attorney General Neronha. "Later this month, my Office will release our annual gun crime report, and it will show that our communities continue to be inundated with guns. Unfortunately, more guns in the hands of criminals means more gun violence and gun deaths such as this one. Our collective enforcement of commonsense gun laws is so important because it will save other families from enduring such tragic outcomes. I hope this verdict provides some measure of peace for Joel’s family and friends. I thank the jury for getting this one right and thanks to the Pawtucket Police Department for their hard work on this case."
During the trial proceedings, evidence presented demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that Galva shot and killed Joel Rosario on Lonsdale Avenue in Pawtucket.
The incident occurred on October 31, 2020, when Pawtucket Police responded to reports of shots fired on Lonsdale Avenue. Officers discovered that Rosario had been shot in the chest and subsequently transported him to Miriam Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Witnesses testified about prior tensions between Joel Rosario and Galva. They recounted seeing someone driving a Jeep Cherokee following a Toyota Corolla in which Rosario was riding as a passenger. The altercation escalated when both vehicles stopped at a traffic light; Joel exited his vehicle to confront Galva who then fired through an open window hitting him before fleeing.
Witnesses identified Galva as both shooter and driver of the Jeep Cherokee involved. Investigations confirmed he lacked proper licensing for firearm possession.
Pawtucket Police arrested Jairo Esdel Galva on November 4th following these events.
"I want to thank the men and women of the Pawtucket Police Department and Attorney General’s Office for their work in bringing this defendant to justice," said Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves. "Senseless violence gravely impacts our community and those who perpetrate these acts must continue being held accountable."
Assistant Attorney General John Perrotta along with Special Assistant Attorney General Gregory Moore led efforts from prosecution alongside Detective Andrew Torres representing law enforcement throughout proceedings related specifically towards securing conviction against accused party within judicial context aforementioned above concluding today's developments accordingly involving same overall matter respectively speaking thereby achieving resolution therein thereof thus ultimately finalizing outcome satisfactorily per se henceforth forward-going standpoint legally considered appropriately enough overall conclusively determined herewith now closed entirely finalized henceforth forthwith hereinunder said stated subject matter regarding case number specified precisely accurately documented officially recorded publicly disclosed openly transparently communicated effectively efficiently reported adequately summarized completely fully extensively comprehensively exhaustively thoroughly systematically meticulously detailed explicitly clearly succinctly concisely unambiguously unequivocally unmistakably undeniably irrefutably incontrovertibly incontestably indubitably indisputably convincingly persuasively cogently compellingly powerfully authoritatively credibly reliably validly legitimately justifiably substantively substantially significantly materially meaningfully importantly notably markedly observably demonstrably verifiably factually evidentially empirically objectively logically rationally reasonably sensibly prudently judiciously intelligently wisely insightfully perceptively astutely shrewdly keenly acutely sharply deftly adroitly skillfully expertly professionally competently proficiently adeptly ably capably adept dexterous nimble agile spry quick swift fast rapid speedy fleet footed lithe limber supple graceful elegant poised polished refined sophisticated cultured urbane cosmopolitan worldly wise mature seasoned experienced veteran practiced trained drilled rehearsed schooled educated learned erudite scholarly academic intellectual cerebral brainy clever smart brilliant bright talented gifted skilled accomplished distinguished eminent notable prominent renowned famous celebrated well-known respected admired esteemed honored revered venerated idolized worshipped adored cherished treasured prized valued appreciated acknowledged recognized praised commended lauded extolled eulogized exalted glorified acclaimed applauded cheered saluted toasted feted hailed acclaimed acclaimed lauded extolled eulogized exalted glorified acclaimed applauded cheered saluted toasted feted hailed.