Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Khari Northup (age 20), of Providence, pleaded guilty on March 20, 2015 before Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause to assault with a dangerous weapon (a .25 caliber pistol), discharge of a firearm while in the commission of a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm without a license. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Northup, a known member of the Hartford Soldiers criminal street gang, was sentenced to 40 years with 20 years to serve and the remainder suspended with probation, non-parolable.
Had the case proceeded to trial, the State was prepared to prove that on March 2, 2014, Northup shot Ramon Figueroa in a dispute over money. The two men dated sisters, who had agreed to split an anticipated tax refund. Figueroa accused Northup's girlfriend of holding back some of the money. A fist fight broke out between the two men on the second floor of a house on 32 Sears Avenue in Providence, where the two sisters and Figueroa resided. During the fight, Northup ran up to the third floor, grabbed his firearm, a .25 caliber pistol, and returned to the second floor where he shot Figueroa, striking him in the chin and rib.
A neighbor brought Figueroa to Roger Williams Hospital for treatment. He was transferred to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was treated and released later that day. As required by statute, personnel at Roger Williams Hospital contacted the Providence Police to report a patient appearing with a gunshot wound. When interviewed by police, Figueroa identified Northup as the shooter. The firearm was not recovered.
Gun violence, no matter the circumstance, will not be tolerated by police, prosecutors or the Courts, and we will continue to seek long sentences for those who engage in violence using firearms," said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin. "A simple dispute over money escalated into gun violence, and as a result, the defendant will deservedly spend significant time in prison."
Providence Police Detectives Daniel O'Connell and Emilio Matos led the investigation. Special Assistant Attorneys General Joseph McBurney prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.