Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Denzel Barboza (age 24), of Providence, pleaded guilty on Thursday, March 17, 2016, before Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause to assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a pistol without a license, discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence resulting in injury, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of cocaine.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that at approximately 2:50 a.m. on December 12, 2015, Denzel Barboza, a known associate of the Harriet Street, or H-Block, criminal street gang, shot Angel Toj, a known associate of the Hartford Soldiers criminal street gang, outside the Roxy nightclub in Providence.
Earlier in the evening, Barboza and co-defendant Raymond Figueroa (a.k.a. Domi) went to the Roxy nightclub with a group of entertainment promoters scouting for local Hip Hop artists. Later, while in the club's parking lot, Figueroa retrieved an Interarms .380 pistol from his motor vehicle and handed it to Barboza, who stuck the gun in his waistband.
Just a short time later, Angel Toj walked towards Barboza and Figueroa. After a brief verbal argument, Barboza pulled out the firearm and shot Toj, with the bullet striking him in the head. As Barboza fled the scene, he threw the firearm onto a nearby roof.
Providence Police and emergency personnel responded to the scene. Toj was transported to Rhode Island Hospital. He sustained serious injuries including losing all vision in his right eye.
Police obtained video surveillance from the parking lot and a nearby building which showed the incident. In addition, witnesses detained at the scene identified the defendant as the individual who shot the victim, and a bouncer at a nearby club reported to the police that he saw Barboza toss the gun as he fled. Police recovered the firearm, which was later determined to have been stolen. A forensic analysis of the firearm showed Barboza's fingerprints on the weapon.
"The senseless rivalry between H-Block and Hartford Soldiers is what led to the June 2013 death of 12-year-old Aynis Vargas as well as the shootings of Vilma Tineo, Elaine Devargas, and Eugelyn Cabrera-Martinez," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "Young men carrying and shooting illegal guns over a warped sense of respect is at the root of the violence in our urban communities. We cannot and will not tolerate this type of violence."
Providence Police arrested Barboza and Figueroa a few days after the shooting, at which time Barboza was found to be in possession of cocaine.
Figueroa, who is being held on $50,000 surety bail, is charged with possession of a firearm without a license and possession of a stolen firearm.
The investigation was led by Providence Police Detectives Detectives Angelo A'Vant and Jonathan Primiano and prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorneys General Joseph McBurney and Peter Roklan on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 26, 2016.