Rhode Island man indicted on several charges after murder of 27-year-old Emmanuel Torres Plaza

A Rhode Island man has been indicted on several charges after the murder of a 27-year-old man.

On March 1, 2024, the Providence County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging 40-year-old Luis Lopez of Pawtucket with one count of murder, one count of discharge of a firearm resulting in death, two counts of possession of a firearm without a license, two counts of possession of a ghost gun, six counts of possession of a firearm by person convicted of a crime of violence, one count of possession of body armor, one count of possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, and five counts of possession of a large capacity feeding device.

According to police, officers responded to a reported shooting in the area of Dexter Street and Sumner Avenue in Central Falls just after 9:15 p.m. on September 23rd.

Upon arrival, officers located a Hispanic man in his late twenties suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The man was later declared dead at the scene.

Emmanuel Torres Plaza was the victim killed by gunfire while walking to his car after working at a barbershop.

According to Central Falls Police, Lopez was arrested later that night in Plainville, MA for allegedly setting fire to the suspect vehicle and fleeing from the scene. Lopez was discovered to be in possession of two firearms, a mask, gloves, and a bullet-proof vest.

It was later determined that Lopez, who knew Torres Plaza, allegedly waited for the victim to come out of work before shooting him multiple times.

Police stated that Lopez was recently released from prison in Massachusetts after serving 15 years for manslaughter.

Lopez is scheduled to be arraigned on March 6, 2024, in Providence County Superior Court.