attorney

Providence man found guilty of 2021 double murder

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that a Providence man has been found guilty in Providence Superior Court of murder and related firearms counts stemming from a 2021 shooting in Providence.

On January 29, 2025, following a 12-day jury trial before Superior Court Justice Kristin E. Rodgers, Kelvin Maldonado (age 32) was found guilty of two counts of murder, three counts of discharging a firearm while committing a crime of violence, and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon.

“This defendant brought a gun to a fistfight, and as a result, Mr. Diallo and Mr. Mbaye tragically lost their lives,” said Attorney General Neronha. “With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to aggressively enforce all of Rhode Island’s gun laws to achieve safety, justice, and accountability. I hope this verdict provides some closure for both victims’ families, and my thanks to the Providence Police Department for their hard work on this difficult case.”

During the trial, the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant murdered both Abdoulaye Diallo and Abass Mbaye, and fired upon a third male victim.

On June 20, 2021, at approximately 3:20 a.m., Providence Police responded to a report of a shooting near Cheshire and Salina Streets in Providence. Upon arrival, investigators discovered Mr. Diallo unresponsive on the ground and found Mr. Mbaye in the passenger seat of a Range Rover. First responders transported both men to Rhode Island Hospital where they were pronounced deceased.

According to witness testimony, Mr. Diallo and Mr. Mbaye attended a party with the defendant on Cheshire Street. At some point during the evening, a party attendee asked the men to leave after discovering that they snuck in without paying a cover fee. Once outside the residence, the conflict turned physical, at which time the defendant shot both men.

Investigators identified the defendant as the shooter using video footage from four different sources. Further, one witness told investigators that they saw the defendant brandish a firearm in the same area where the shots were fired. Additionally, investigators used cell phone location data to place the defendant in the area of the crime at the time of the shooting.

“The Providence Police Department works tirelessly to keep our streets safe and protect our community from those that perpetrate violent crime,” said Providence Police Colonel Oscar Perez. “I want to thank the men and women of the Providence Police Department and the Attorney General’s Office for their work in bringing this defendant to justice.”

Assistant Attorney General John Moreira, Special Assistant Attorney General Daniel Hopkins, and Detective Thomas Richards of the Attorney General’s Office, and Detective Raymond Majeau and Detective Theodore Michael (Retired) of the Providence Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case.