Ricardo Adam Encarnacion Sr. was a young father, a beloved son and brother, and a friend known for being fun, funny, and "real chill." Born in Riopiedras, Puerto Rico, Ricardo, a 28-year-old male, spent most of his life in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he attended Putnam High School. He worked as a maintenance man and enjoyed playing basketball. Friends remembered him as a "real family guy who loved life." He was the youngest of three brothers and a devoted father to his 8-year-old daughter, Aaliyah, and his 1-year-old son, Ricardo Jr. Though he had lived in New Bedford, Massachusetts, for about eight years, he remained deeply connected to his family in Springfield.
In the pre-dawn hours of Saturday, October 30, 2010, that life was violently cut short. At around 4:30 a.m., Ricardo was sitting on the small wooden porch of a house at 325 North Front Street in New Bedford's North End when he was shot multiple times.
A neighbor, who described Ricardo as being "like a son to me," recalled hearing the gunshots and calling 911 before running outside to find him on the porch. First responders rushed Ricardo to St. Luke's Hospital, but his injuries were too severe. He was pronounced dead shortly after 5:00 a.m.
Immediately following the gunfire, witnesses reported seeing a vehicle leaving the area, leading some to believe it may have been a drive-by shooting. In the hours after the murder, the North Front Street block between Nye and Tallman streets transformed into a scene of communal grief. Dozens of mourners gathered, many dressed in yellow and black, hugging, crying, and sharing memories of "Ricky." A makeshift memorial with candles and a box for funeral donations appeared on the porch where he was killed. Puerto Rican flags, many bearing handwritten messages, were attached to the building's siding as hip-hop music played from a parked SUV.
With tears on his face, a friend from Springfield, Raul Martinez, told a reporter that Ricardo "was just a fun dude to be around. He'll always be remembered." Michael Santos, a friend from New Bedford, described him as being "like a brother to me." While the grief was palpable, the reason for the shooting was a mystery to those who gathered. They acknowledged hearing stories and rumors but could offer no concrete motive for the crime. "I don't know what happened," the neighbor who called 911 said.
The investigation into Ricardo Encarnacion's homicide was launched immediately, led by the New Bedford Police Department in conjunction with Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office. Investigators processed the scene and interviewed witnesses, but authorities remained tight-lipped about the case. When asked if the shooting was gang-related, a spokesperson for the District Attorney's office stated it was too early in the investigation to comment on that aspect.
Years have passed, but the case has grown cold, leaving Ricardo's family with unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss. In a comment on a news article in 2017, a man identifying himself as Ricardo's brother, Jose, wrote, "i wish they can cacth the person that kill my brother... 8 yrs know and the case is still open any info pls help me... r.i.p my lil brother ricardo.encarnacion." As of December 2024, the Bristol County District Attorney's Office continues to list the murder of Ricardo Encarnacion as an open and unsolved case. Investigators urge anyone with information regarding the homicide to call the New Bedford Police Department at (508) 991-6330 or the Bristol County District Attorney's Office at (508) 997-0711.
