Providence law enforcement has made a significant breakthrough in the investigation of the tragic shooting incident that claimed the life of a 17-year-old in the city’s West End last month. Samuel Medina, 24, the prime suspect in the case, surrendered to Providence police on Thursday, as confirmed by Providence Police Maj. David Lapatin.
The victim, Darnell Whitford, was fatally shot at close range on the evening of July 14, on Dexter Street. Medina’s surrender follows a public appeal by Providence authorities on July 19, during which they released Medina’s photograph and urged individuals with information to come forward.
Following his apprehension, Medina faced arraignment on Friday, where he was formally charged with first-degree murder, discharging a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, carrying a firearm without a license, and firing a weapon in a confined area, as documented in court records. During the arraignment, Medina opted not to enter a plea, and the court ordered him to be held without bail.
The tweet below verifies the news:
Man suspected of killing 17-year-old in Providence turns himself in https://t.co/vLETQIgN0h
— Providence Journal (@projo) August 15, 2023
The incident unfolded as Whitford was walking in the company of a young woman near the intersection of Dexter and Waldo streets at approximately 10 p.m. On that fateful Friday night, a vehicle pulled up, and Samuel Medina emerged. It’s believed that Medina was accompanied by other young men, potentially up to three, who exited the vehicle and confronted Whitford.
Amidst the confrontation, Medina engaged in a verbal exchange with Whitford, ultimately drawing a handgun and firing at him, as recounted by Lapatin. Sadly, Whitford, a resident of Providence and a member of the West Warwick Steelers’ football organization, succumbed to his injuries.
Medina’s arrest represents a significant step forward in the pursuit of justice for the victim and his family. As the legal process unfolds, it underscores the commitment of law enforcement to bring closure to such tragic incidents in the community.
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