Julio Caesar Macho Ariza, 28, was shot and killed in the early morning of May 19, 2024, on Admiral Street in Providence. A self-employed barber who enjoyed sports and time with family and friends, Ariza suffered a gunshot wound to his back and was taken to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was pronounced dead around 5:15 a.m. He is survived by his son Josiah, his parents, and siblings.

Providence Police say the shooting may be linked to an illegal, unlicensed after-hours venue described as a sip joint near the scene. The incident was the city’s third homicide of 2024. A memorial has been placed at the site and family and friends gathered there to honor him. No arrests or suspects have been publicly identified as the investigation remains active.

If anyone was in the Admiral Street area that morning or has information about the sip joint or the shooting, please come forward to help provide answers.