In the bright afternoon of October 23, 2018, a burst of gunfire shattered the calm near the intersection of Donelson and Admiral Streets in Providence, Rhode Island. Behind the wheel of his silver Toyota Camry, 23-year-old Jason Gonzalez was fatally struck. The car, its rear window shattered by the gunshots, veered over a curb and came to a rest against a stop sign.
Emergency services rushed Jason, a local Providence resident, to Rhode Island Hospital, but his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead.
The brazen daylight shooting left the neighborhood in shock. One resident who knew Jason described him as a sweet, quiet, and nice young man who would often visit her backyard to sit by the fire pit. This neighbor was left to wonder if he could have been an unintended target. Jason, who was known by the nickname "Heavy," was a Hispanic male.
The investigation into the homicide is ongoing, but authorities have not yet publicly identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with the shooting. The Providence Police Department continues to seek information from the public to bring those responsible for Jason's death to justice.
Years prior to his death, as a teenager in 2013, Jason Gonzalez was connected to the Christmas Eve murder of Ryan Almeida. Authorities at the time believed he was associated with the Chad Brown street gang. He later pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and a firearm violation in relation to that case.
