Rhode Island man sentenced to prison for role in shooting death of local barber Yusef A’Vant

Attorney General Peter Neronha announced today that a Providence man was sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to the Adult Correctional Institutions in prison for his involvement in the 2014 murder of Yusef A’Vant.

On January 22, 2024, Superior Court Justice Robert Krause sentenced 34-year-old Evan Watson to 28 years to serve. On October 18, 2016, the defendant pled guilty to one count of second-degree murder, one count of conspiracy to commit murder, and one count of possession of a firearm without a license.

On February 28, 2020, a co-defendant, 39-uear-old Thomas Mosely, was found guilty of one count of second-degree murder and one count of discharging a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, resulting in death, following a 12-day jury trial. He is serving life in prison.

“These senseless acts of gun violence cause immeasurable pain and suffering to victims and their families,” said Attorney General Neronha. “Yusef A’Vant’s family has lived with his loss for nearly 10 years now. I am grateful that this defendant has been held accountable for his role in Yusef’s murder and hope this sentencing brings some measure of peace to his family. I commend the East Providence Police and the entire investigative and prosecution team for their work on this complex case.”

During the trial, the State proved that during the afternoon of April 13, 2014, Watson both provided the gun and drove Thomas Mosely to the barbershop where the victim worked. According to witness testimony, Mosley entered the barbershop holding a silver revolver and shot the victim before fleeing the scene with the defendant. First responders rushed the victim to the hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries and passed shortly thereafter.

“The East Providence Police Department works tirelessly to bring justice to those who commit terrible acts of gun violence,” said East Providence Police Chief Christopher Francesconi. “I hope this sentencing helps the victim’s family to continue to heal. I am grateful for the work of our detectives and officers, as well as the Attorney General’s Office, during the investigation and prosecution of this case.”

Assistant Attorneys General Scott Erickson and Robert Johnson IV of the Office of the Attorney General and the East Providence Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case, with assistance from the Providence Police Department and the Rhode Island State Police.