Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that Denzel Barboza (age 24), of Providence, was sentenced today by Superior Court Justice Robert D. Krause for the December 12, 2015 shooting of Angel Toj outside the Roxy nightclub in Providence. In March, Barboza pleaded guilty 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.
Barboza was sentenced to a total of 58 years with 45 years to serve, 20 of which are non-paroleable, and 13 years suspended with probation.
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.
"A violent gang member shooting a rival gang member because he felt disrespected is unfathomable to most, yet too many of our urban youths turn to guns to resolve senseless disputes and settle scores. The result of this type of thug attitude and gang behavior is too much gun violence in our communities that all too often leads to the loss of life." said Attorney General Kilmartin.
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.