Rhode Island man sentenced to prison for murder of non-violence activist Andrei Bonilla

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha Friday announced that a Rhode Island man has been sentenced in Providence County Superior Court after being found guilty of the 2021 murder of 23-year-old Andrei Bonilla and the domestic assault of a female victim during a 2021 shooting in Providence.

At a hearing on May 5, 2023, Superior Court Justice Kristen E. Rodgers sentenced 23-year-old Andrew Mangru to consecutive life sentences at the Adult Correctional Institutions.

On December 9, 2022, following the conclusion of a week-long jury trial before Judge Rodgers, the jury found the defendant guilty of one count of second-degree murder; one count of discharge of a firearm when committing a crime of violence, resulting in death. The defendant was also sentenced for one count of domestic assault; one count of carrying a pistol without a license; one count of obstruction of the judicial system; and one count of attempted solicitation, and one count of attempt to violate a No Contact Order, which were ordered to run concurrently.

Recently, the Office of the Attorney General posthumously honored Andrei Bonilla at a National Crime Victim’s Rights Week ceremony for his many contributions to a mission of non-violence and his community during his life.

“When callous criminals can easily access illegal firearms, gun violence is almost certain,” said Attorney General Neronha. “To lose someone so young and full of promise, who advocated for non-violence and peace, is nothing short of a tragedy. Andrei’s legacy will long outlast the lengthy and deserved prison sentence imposed on the defendant. The men and women of the Providence Police Department and Rhode Island State Police have my continued admiration and gratitude for their outstanding work investigating this case and ensuring its successful prosecution.”

During the trial, the State proved that during the early morning hours of August 28, 2021, Mangru shot and killed Bonilla and assaulted a female victim outside of a residence on Harwol Court in Providence.

Early that morning, Bonilla dropped off the female victim on Harwol Court. Mangru had previously dated the victim.

As the victim exited the vehicle, Mangru appeared, slapping her, and knocking her to the ground. Mangru then approached the driver’s side window of the vehicle and fired at least four times from a silver revolver, striking Bonilla three times.

Despite his injuries, Bonilla attempted to drive away from the scene of the shooting. He drove as far as Branch Avenue before crashing into a parking bollard at a nearby convenience store. By the time rescue personnel arrived on scene, Bonilla had died from the gunshot wounds he sustained.

During the course of their investigation, Providence Police Detectives identified Mangru as a suspect and apprehended him with assistance from the Rhode Island State Police on September 10, 2021, at a residence on Prairie Avenue in Providence.

“Every day, the men and women of the Providence Police Department commit themselves to keeping the public safe,” said Providence Police Chief Oscar Perez. “Perpetrators of gun violence must continue to be removed from our streets to better prevent tragedies from occurring. I want to thank our investigators and the members of the Office of the Attorney General for their continued partnership and commitment to public safety.”

Assistant Attorney General Scott Erickson and Special Assistant Attorneys General Jonathan Burke and Ariel Pittner of the Office of the Attorney General and Detectives Jared Sherman, Terrence Green and Theodore Michael of the Providence Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case, with assistance from the Rhode Island State Police and ACI Special Investigations Unit.