Rhode Island man sentenced for murdering Massachusetts man outside Providence nightclub

Attorney General Peter Neronha announced that a Johnston man has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to prison at the Adult Correctional Institutions for the 2021 murder of 27-year-old Mario Diaz of Boston.

At a hearing on Monday, Superior Court Justice Robert Krause sentenced 39-year-old Miguel Lacourt to 60 years in prison, with a consecutive life sentence at the ACI. On January 17, 2024, following the conclusion of a seven-day trial, a jury found Lacourt guilty of one count of second-degree murder, one count of discharging a firearm while committing a crime of violence resulting in death, and one count of carrying a pistol without a license. 

“Mario Diaz is one of many victims that would still be alive if not for the availability of firearms to those ready and willing to use them for violence,” said Attorney General Neronha. “We must continue to fight for commonsense gun laws and enforcement to avoid such tragedies. I hope this sentencing provides some closure for the victim’s family and I thank the Providence Police for their commitment to seeking justice on behalf of the victims of violent crime.”

During the trial, the State proved that Lacourt shot and killed the victim following a dispute at a Providence lounge.

In the early morning hours of August 7, 2021, Lacourt and two friends attended Fuego Lounge on West Friendship Street in Providence. Video surveillance from inside the lounge depicted Lacourt as having long dreadlocks, two distinct tattoos, and wearing a red Cincinnati Reds hat and Motorsport sneakers. At some point, Lacourt and his friend exited the nightclub and lingered outside. While outside the nightclub, Lacourt and another individual began an argument that then turned physical. Lacourt attempted to restrain one of the people involved but got punched and kicked to the ground. Lacourt eventually freed himself from the altercation and walked off towards Elmwood Avenue.

Approximately 90 seconds later, he returned with a gun and shot the victim.

Investigators recovered several items from the crime scene, including a strand of hair, a Cincinnati Reds hat and a Motorsport brand sneaker, items which were identified as belonging to Lacourt in the video surveillance footage. Investigators sent the items to the Forensic Biology Lab at the Rhode Island Department of Health along with a known buccal swab of Lacourt. His DNA profile matched the profiles extracted from all four items.

Investigators also matched still frames from the video surveillance footage of Lacourt’s tattoos to booking photos of Lacourt from a prior arrest.

“I commend the outstanding work conducted by the men and women of the Providence Police Department and the Attorney General’s Office for bringing this defendant to justice,” said Providence Police Colonel Oscar L. Perez, Jr. “Gun violence in our communities must be stopped at all costs. The family and friends of this victim, and all victims of gun violence, are in my thoughts today and every day.”

Assistant Attorney General Scott Erickson and Special Assistant Attorney General Ariel Pittner of the Office of the Attorney General and Detective Mitchell Guerra of the Providence Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case.