On a summer day in Providence, Rhode Island, on August 11, 1995, the life of 17-year-old Jamel L. Collins was tragically cut short. Collins, a Black / African American male, had spent part of the day driving around in a borrowed Jeep with an acquaintance, Joel Brown. Their paths crossed with Tremayne Clifton near the Mary Fogarty Elementary School.
There had been a recent dispute between Collins and Clifton concerning drug-dealing activities.
Despite the underlying tension, Clifton was given a ride, seating himself in the back seat directly behind Collins, who was driving. As they drove near the Mount Zion Church of God, the simmering conflict erupted into violence. From the back seat, Clifton fired multiple shots, striking Collins in the head. The sudden gunfire prompted Brown, who was in the front passenger seat, to jump out of the moving vehicle. He witnessed Collins's head bleeding as his body shook.
After the shooting, Clifton fled the scene on foot. His escape was not entirely unnoticed. A 13-year-old boy, who was nearby, saw Clifton running and at one point saw him point the gun at a friend. The authorities were notified, and an investigation into the murder of Jamel Collins began. Tremayne Clifton was later apprehended by law enforcement.
Clifton was brought to trial for the killing of Jamel Collins. Following the legal proceedings, he was convicted of first-degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and carrying a pistol without a license. For the murder of Jamel Collins, Tremayne Clifton was sentenced to life in prison.
