On July 17, 2020, Keven D. Rocha, a 25-year-old resident of New Bedford, Massachusetts, met a tragic end. Keven, born in Praia, Cape Verde on September 9, 1994, was found at a multi-family home located at 17 Margin Street in New Bedford. Upon arrival, the New Bedford Police discovered that Keven had been shot four times.
The investigation into Keven's murder led to the identification and apprehension of a suspect.
Angel Avelino, a 32-year-old resident of Lynn, Massachusetts, was charged with Keven's murder. Angel had been residing in a tent in a grassy area between Route 18 south and Purchase Street in New Bedford since August 2024, along with his girlfriend, Nicole Wright. On October 4, 2024, police located Angel and Nicole in the area of 31 Bentley Street and took them into custody. Notably, neither Angel nor Nicole was in possession of any knives or weapons at the time of their arrest, although video surveillance had captured Angel attacking another individual, Jesus, with a long-bladed knife earlier, which had not been located.
Angel Avelino had a prior history of run-ins with the law. In June 2024, he was arrested on warrants for shoplifting by asportation, shoplifting of a shopping cart, assault and battery, and larceny from a building. Additionally, in June 2019, he was arrested on charges of Class B drug possession, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and no inspection/sticker. Following his arrest for Keven's murder, Angel was ordered to be held without bail and was scheduled to appear in court on November 15, 2024.
The circumstances surrounding Keven's death and Angel's arrest highlight the complex and often troubled background of the suspect. The case against Angel Avelino is ongoing, with his trial pending as of the current date.
