Rhode Island man sentenced to prison after being found guilty of murdering Isaias Bulus Jr.

Attorney General Peter Neronha announced Monday that a Woonsocket man has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to serve 25 years at the Adult Correctional Institutions after being found guilty of the murder of 21-year-old Isaias Bulus Jr. in 2021.

On October 27, 2023, Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause sentenced 21-year-old Adauris Garcia to serve 25 years at the ACI, followed by a consecutive life sentence.

On April 5, 2023, following the conclusion of a five-day trial, a jury found the defendant guilty of second-degree murder, discharge of a firearm resulting in death, and carrying a pistol without a license.

“Here we have an altogether avoidable tragedy resulting in the senseless loss of life, and a family left without their son, brother, and father,” said Attorney General Neronha. “While nothing can undo the harm caused, it is my hope that this well-deserved prison sentence serves as some measure of comfort for the victim and his family. 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 around 9:45 p.m. on April 11, 2021, Garcia shot and killed Isaias Bulus Jr. 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 Ave. 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 the victim before exiting the vehicle and fleeing the scene.

Approximately four hours later, Providence Police received a phone call for a suspicious vehicle, and responded to the scene where they found the victim.

“Gun violence has no place in our community,” said Providence Police Colonel Oscar L. Perez Jr. “The men and women of the Providence Police Department work every day 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 (retired) and Angelo Avant of the Providence Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case.