On a summer evening in Providence, Rhode Island, the life of 22-year-old Damien Luis Colon was tragically cut short. On July 30, 2012, Colon was visiting an apartment in the Arbor Glen housing complex when a planned robbery escalated into a violent triple homicide. Colon, along with Michael Martin, 23, and Shemeeka Barrows, 21, were all fatally shot during the incident.
The events of that night began with a plot to rob Michael Martin, who the perpetrators believed would have money and marijuana. Four individuals, identified as Russell Burrell, Quandell Husband, Timothy DeBritto, and Donovann Hall, conspired to carry out the robbery. Armed with a 9mm Glock, Burrell, Husband, and Hall proceeded to Martin's apartment. Their plan took an unexpected turn when they found Damien Colon present with Martin.
Upon forcing their way into the apartment, the intruders herded both Martin and Colon into the kitchen where Burrell opened fire, killing them both. In the living room, Shemeeka Barrows, who had been asleep on a couch, was awakened by the commotion. She too was then shot and killed by Burrell.
In the aftermath of the brutal slayings, an investigation led to the arrests of the four suspects. They faced a litany of charges, including three counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, and firearm offenses. The legal proceedings that followed saw the accused arraigned in court, with family members of the victims present for the emotional hearings. Eventually, Quandell Husband, who was 16 at the time of the crime, was tried and convicted for his role in the murders. He was sentenced to consecutive life sentences plus ten years. The convictions of the other individuals involved brought a measure of justice to the families of Damien Colon, Michael Martin, and Shemeeka Barrows, though the profound loss of three young lives remains a painful tragedy.
