Man found dead in SUV parked in Providence identified; Homicide investigation underway

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — A man was found dead inside an SUV that was parked in Providence, with police launching a murder investigation.

Authorities said the man has been identified as 36-year-old Jose Santos. Loved ones who left candles and flowers at the scene Wednesday morning said he was from Pawtucket, but had recently been living in Woonsocket. They also said he was a father.

Police said his body was discovered slumped over the steering wheel of his SUV at the corner of Melrose and Mitchell streets in the Elmwood section of the city Tuesday night around 10. Police said he had been shot at close range.

NBC 10 News spoke to a relative, who provided a photo of him, but did not want to appear on camera.

Eduardo Loor, a witness who said he drove by the SUV and noticed that the engine was revving, went to see if driver was OK. He was shocked to find a dead body.

“He had blood on his arm, his legs, on the wheel -- like, pretty much everywhere,” said Loor. “I was like, ‘Oh, God. This man is dead. I didn’t know what to do and then I was like, ‘Alright, I guess I have to call the police, at least.”

Maj. David Lapatin of the Providence Police Department addressed reporters during a press conference Wednesday morning. While he said Santos was shot at a close range, he didn’t disclose exactly where the shooter might have been.

“When we got there, we found a man that had been shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene,” he said. “So, obviously we’ve been working it since last night and we’re making some progress.”

Police also said they believe Santos was targeted, but it’s unclear what he was doing in Providence when he was killed. Lapatin said authorities know what he was doing before he was killed to a certain extent, saying it wasn’t anything criminal.

The victim’s sister told NBC 10 that he had 5 children ranging from age 1 through 13.

No arrests have been made.

Police are asking anyone with information about the crime to contact authorities.