Three sentenced to prison in southern New England gang shootout that injured nine people

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that three men were sentenced in Providence County Superior Court to the Adult Correctional Institutions, after pleading to multiple felony charges stemming from their indictment by a Providence County Grand Jury for their roles in a May 2021 gang-related shooting that wounded nine people on Carolina Avenue in Providence.

19-year-old George Rios, 21-year-old Jordanny Britto, and 20-year-old Reynaldo Rivera entered pleas of guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon, with a Criminal Street Gang Enhancement; discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, resulting in injury; conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon, with a Criminal Street Gang Enhancement; conspiracy to discharge a firearm during a crime of violence; carrying a pistol without a license; and conspiracy to carry a pistol without a license.

At a hearing on June 29, 2022, before Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause, the Court sentenced Rios and Britto to a total sentence of 32 years, with 12 years to serve and 20 years suspended with probation, which is nonparolable if violated.

During a separate hearing on June 29, 2022, before Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause, the Court sentenced Rivera to a total sentence of 30 years, with 10 years to serve and 20 years suspended with probation, which is nonparolable if violated.

A warrant was issued for co-defendant Ricardo Cosme Tejada (age 21) on June 22, 2022, after it was reported by the ACI that he removed his home confinement bracelet. The case against Cosme Tejada was scheduled for disposition today, and he did not appear.

Cases against co-defendants Daniel Carides and David Carides Jr. remain pending.

“The shootings we have seen in Providence over the last several months have been driven by several things: the wide availability of illegal guns, the number of rounds being fired and the use in many instances of high-capacity magazines, and people too willing to resolve often inconsequential disputes at the point of a gun,” said Attorney General Neronha. “These three individuals turned a peaceful Providence neighborhood into their own personal shooting range. Such conduct is incredibly dangerous, far too often deadly, and remains a principal focus of our prosecutorial resources. The long sentences imposed by the court here should send a strong message that gun violence will bring the most serious consequences. The work of the Providence Police Department was exemplary during this case, and I am grateful for the Department’s continuing partnership with this Office.”

At approximately 6:47 p.m., on May 13, 2021, members of the Providence Police Department responded to a report of multiple shots fired and multiple shooting victims at a home on Carolina Ave.

Rios, Cosme Tejada, Rivera, and Britto, members of the “Get Money Family” gang, drove in a Dodge Ram pick-up to the home at 87 Carolina Ave., where all of them jumped out of the truck brandishing pistols. They then began firing at multiple individuals associated with the “Lakeside” gang, who were located on the front porch of the home.

In total, four people on the porch were wounded when the gunmen opened fire, including David Carides Jr. At least two people, including Daniel Carides and an unindicted juvenile co-conspirator, from the home returned fire at Rios, Cosme Tejada, Rivera, and Britto, who were all wounded.

Rios, Cosme Tejada, Rivera, and Britto then jumped back into their truck to flee the scene. As the truck fled, Daniel Carides exited the home and fired a pistol at the truck as it drove away in the direction of Allens Avenue.

Rios, Cosme Tejada, Rivera, and Britto transported themselves to Rhode Island Hospital. The four additional victims also sought treatment for their wounds at Rhode Island Hospital.

Following the incident, investigators collected approximately 51 spent shell casings in various calibers fired from multiple guns in the road and on the property at 87 Carolina Ave, as well as bullets that went into a home across the street.

Investigators also executed a search warrant at 87 Carolina Ave. and seized over 500 rounds of ammunition in various calibers as well as 12 pistol and rifle magazines, four of which were large capacity magazines able to hold over 30 rounds. Investigators also seized multiple firearms, including a: 9mm ghost gun; Smith and Wesson M&P 15 with an obliterated serial number; Sig Sauer P229 9mm with an obliterated serial number; Beretta 9mm; Polymer80 PF.45 caliber ghost gun, Glock 26 9mm with an obliterated serial number, Polymer80/Glock slide semi-automatic pistol, rifle, and two BB guns.

Investigators also seized amounts of marijuana, THC and Psilocin from the home.

“We are grateful that these defendants will be serving long sentences as a result of their violent actions with firearms. The City is a safer place with these criminals behind bars,” said Providence Commissioner of Public Safety Steven Paré. “Excellent work by the Providence Police Department and the prosecutors from the RI Attorney General’s Office. They terrorized that peaceful neighborhood because of their gang retaliation. We appreciate the sentencing by Judge Krause.”

“This case serves as yet another example of the ongoing working partnership between the PPD and the RI Attorney General’s Office, resulting in the three defendants serving lengthy sentences for taking part in a senseless act of violence in an otherwise quiet neighborhood,” said Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr., Chief of the Providence Police Department. “I commend the members of the Providence Police Department and the RI Attorney General’s Office for their investigation and prosecution in this case and their commitment to removing violent criminals from our streets.”

Assistant Attorney General Joseph J. McBurney and Special Assistant Attorney General Edward G. Mullaney of the Office of the Attorney General and Detective Theodore Michael of the Providence Police Department conducted the investigation and prosecution of the case.