Victim's brother to see State of Union

WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) -- The brother of a murdered Providence woman will get an opportunity few Americans ever get -- to sit side by side with lawmakers on Capitol Hill next week, during the President's State of the Union address.

"It's just beyond our wildest dreams," Jim Tyrell said.

He's hoping to bring justice and closure for the murder of his older sister, Debbie -- a victim of gun violence. Congressman Jim Langevin invited Jim on Debbie's behalf.

On Jan. 30, 2004, in an attempted robbery, Debbie Tyrell was shot dead inside the Providence convenience store she owned on Bucklin Street, the West End Mart. Her killer wasn't found. Jim's photos of his sister show a strawberry blonde, constantly with a big smile.

That same night, Jim and Debbie's other siblings had been out celebrating their parents' wedding anniversary. "Debbie was supposed to meet us afterwards," Jim said. "She had to keep her store open..."

Seconds from the festivities, Jim said his life was forever changed -- when Providence Police officers came to tell the family what had happened.

It's been nine long years, and Debbie's murder is still unsolved.

Jim is hoping retelling her story will help police catch a break in the case -- and, maybe, bring a change in gun laws.

"James Langevin has given us the opportunity to turn this negative and painful experience to smething positive," Jim said.

"It's so easy for a person to get a gun... You never know what can happen with them," he added. "You can see what happened to our family."