Rhode Island Man Who Shot His Brother Sentenced To 9 Years In Prison

CENTRAL FALLS, RI — A Rhode Island man was sentenced to nine years in state prison after admitting he shot his brother in the leg during an argument on Interstate 95, Attorney General Peter Neronha said Wednesday.

On June 6, Superior Court Justice Kristen Rodgers sentenced Jimmy Lopez, 26, of Central Falls, to 15 years, with nine years to be served at the Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institutions in Cranston and 15 years of probation. The sentencing comes after Lopez pleaded guilty to felony assault, use of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license.

Had the case proceeded to trial, prosecutors said they were prepared to prove on June 10, 2022, Lopez shot his brother in the leg during a fight on I-95 southbound in Providence.

"Once again, we have the all too familiar scenario of the prevalence of firearms and the propensity to use them carelessly and callously," Neronha said. "If the defendant was willing to resort to senselessly shooting his own brother, one can only imagine the potential for senseless violence that will now be avoided with this defendant behind bars."

Around 12:21 a.m., Rhode Island State Police were called to a report of two men fighting on I-95 prior to the Elmwood Avenue exit. Prosecutors said state police found a man walking on the embankment to the intersection of Niagara Street and Detroit Avenue.

The man, later identified as Lopez's brother, had a gunshot wound on his left leg. Emergency officials brought the victim to Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. About 20 minutes later, state police and Providence police found two .380 caliber shell casings and one .380 caliber live round near where they found Lopez's brother, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said investigators searched the victim’s phone after the victim refused to cooperate with the investigation. The search revealed a series of videos and photos from earlier in the evening that showed the victim and Lopez together. Detectives also reviewed tracked locations of the Lopez’s phone, sourced from carrier records, and were able to place him at the scene of the shooting as well as other locations he was confirmed to have visited that evening, according to prosecutors.

On the morning of July 21, 2022, state police searched Lopez's home and arrested him without incident. Prosecutors said Lopez tossed his phone and a semi-automatic handgun out of a second-floor window before he was apprehended.

"The diligent work of the violent fugitive task force and major crimes unit is critical in identifying and apprehending individuals who drive significant crime in our state," Rhode Island State Police Col. Darnell Weaver said. "This outcome is a testament to the effectiveness of our law enforcement agencies and their ability to work together towards a common goal."