On a cold January night in Providence, Rhode Island, the life of 24-year-old Hispanic male, Derreck Alzar, was cut short in a burst of violence. The events of January 31, 2014, unfolded from a domestic dispute into a fatal encounter that left a family grieving and a community in shock. The night began with a woman seeking refuge from her ex-boyfriend, Saul Rivera.
After an altercation with Rivera, she called three friends for help, one of whom was Derreck Alzar.
Alzar and his two other friends arrived to pick up the distressed woman and drove away, hoping to put distance between her and Rivera. Their sense of safety was shattered about an hour later, around 1:00 a.m., when they stopped at a gas station near the intersection of River Avenue and Chalkstone Avenue. As they were pulling out, a vehicle pulled up alongside them. Inside was Saul Rivera, who, according to authorities, opened fire on the car, firing several shots into the vehicle. At least one of these bullets struck Alzar, inflicting a mortal wound.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the suspect, Saul Rivera, was apprehended by the Providence Police. He was subsequently charged with murder, assault, and illegally carrying a firearm. During his arraignment, a tense and emotional scene played out in the courtroom as Alzar's family listened in tears to the details of their loved one's final moments. Rivera entered no plea at this initial hearing and was held without bail, pending further legal proceedings. The tragic death of Derreck Alzar was noted as the second homicide of the year in Providence, a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence that ripple out to touch the lives of many. While Rivera was arrested and charged, the final disposition of his case, including a conviction or sentencing, is not detailed in the available online information.
