On the evening of July 30, 2012, 23-year-old Michael J. Martin was tragically killed in his Providence, Rhode Island apartment in a deadly triple homicide. The violent incident also claimed the lives of Damien Luis Colon, 22, and Shemeeka Barrows, 21. The event that unfolded was the tragic outcome of a robbery plot conceived by four individuals who believed Martin would be an easy target for money and marijuana.
The plan was reportedly hatched earlier that day by Timothy DeBritto,
Russell Burrell, Quandell Husband, and Donovann Hall. They targeted Martin, referring to the robbery as a "lick," under the assumption that he would have cash and drugs in his apartment. That night, armed with a 9mm Glock, Burrell, Husband, and Hall proceeded to Martin's residence on General Street. When Martin opened the door, the three men forced their way inside.
Inside, the assailants were surprised to find Damien Colon with Martin. Both men were herded towards the kitchen, where Burrell opened fire, killing them both. During the commotion, Shemeeka Barrows, who had been asleep on a couch, awoke. Upon discovering her presence, Burrell turned the weapon on her, emptying the magazine and fatally shooting her as well.
The investigation into the triple homicide led to the arrests of all four men involved in the plot. Russell Burrell, who was a juvenile at the time of the murders but tried as an adult, was identified as the shooter. He pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and was sentenced to six consecutive life sentences plus ten years in prison. Quandell Husband was also found guilty on three counts of first-degree murder and other charges. Timothy DeBritto was also indicted for his role in the killings. Donovann Hall, one of the four charged, eventually had his murder charges reduced in exchange for his testimony.
