Please note: An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. The U.S. Constitution guarantees that a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Joseph Shepard, age 23
P1-2015-1563A
Gerrod Crowell, age 23
LKA: 88 Branch Avenue
Providence, RI
P1-2015-1563B
Juan Oliver, 21
P1-2015-1563C
The Statewide Grand Jury reported out an indictment charging Joseph Shepard, Gerrod Crowell, and Juan Oliver each with one count of conspiracy, one count of murder, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of larceny over $500 and one count of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
It is alleged that on or about May 24, 2013, Shepard, Crowell, and Oliver, all three alleged Manton Avenue criminal street gang members, were involved in a fight with several alleged members of the Hartford Soldiers criminal street gang outside the Saver's Mart on Elmwood Avenue in Providence. During the fight, it is alleged Crowell stabbed Khari Northup and attempted to stab Francisco Torres. It is further alleged that Shepard stole the motor vehicle owned by Henry Rodriguez, and then proceeded to purposefully run him over. A second motor vehicle, allegedly driven by Crowell in which Oliver was a passenger, struck Rodriguez as he lay in the street. Rodriguez later succumbed to his injuries at Rhode Island Hospital. It is not believed that Rodriguez was a member of either criminal street gang.
Shepard and Oliver are currently being held without bail. They are scheduled to be arraigned in Providence County Superior Court on May 27, 2015. Crowell was arrested in Florida on May 19, 2015 and is awaiting extradition back to Rhode Island.
The Providence Police conducted the investigation.