21-year-old Rhode Island man found guilty for the murder of 21-year-old Isaias Bulus

Attorney General Peter Neronha announced that a Rhode Island man has been found guilty in Providence County Superior Court for the murder of 21-year-old Isaias Bulus in 2021.

Following the conclusion of a five-day jury trial before Superior Court Justice Robert Krause, the jury found 21-year-old Adauris Garcia guilty of second-degree murder, discharge of a firearm resulting in death, and carrying a pistol without a license.

Garcia is currently being held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions pending a sentencing hearing to be scheduled at a later date in Providence County Superior Court.

“Last week, we released our annual gun crime report, and it demonstrates that our communities continue to be inundated with guns. Unfortunately, more guns in the hands of criminals means more gun violence and gun deaths,” said Attorney General Neronha. “With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively enforce all of Rhode Island’s gun laws to make Rhode Islanders safer and to promote justice and accountability. I am grateful for the jury’s verdict in this case, which will no doubt result in decades of well-deserved prison time. And once again, I thank the men and women of the Providence Police Department for their outstanding work here and in so many other cases.”

During the trial, the State proved that at approximately 9:45 p.m. on April 11, 2021, Garcia shot and killed Bulus following a drug transaction on Atlantic Avenue in Providence.

According to witness testimony and corroborating digital evidence, Garcia sought to acquire drugs from the victim on Atlantic Avenue in Providence. When Garcia entered the victim’s vehicle, he brandished a gun, and both struggled for possession of the firearm. During the struggle, Garcia fired one shot into the back of Bulus before exiting the vehicle and fleeing the scene.

The victim was found dead four hours later in his vehicle.

“The men and women of the Providence Police Department work hard to keep our communities safe,” said Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez. “Gun violence has no place in our communities and every day we work to bring justice to those who commit violent crimes and keep citizens safe. I commend the work of our officers and also the members of the Attorney General’s Office for their investigation and prosecution of this case.”

Assistant Attorneys General Scott Erickson and Eric Batista of the Office of the Attorney General and Detectives Theodore Michael and Angelo Avant of the Providence Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case.