Providence homicide victim laid to rest

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - As families of the victims from this week's tragic triple homicide say their final goodbyes, Providence police are working to cut down on violence in the capital city.

Shemeeka Barros was the first of the triple homicide victims to be laid to her rest.

• Related: Funerals set for triple homicide victims

Her funeral was held Friday at 11 a.m. at Bright Funeral Home in Providence.

The 22-year-old mother of two was studying to become a nurse. But, those dreams abruptly ended when Barros was shot and killed on General Street Monday, July 30.

• Related: Cops hunt for motive in triple murder

Also killed in the shooting, 22-year-old Damien Colon and 23-year-old Michael Martin.

The triple shooting deaths bring the number of homicides in Providence this year to 12.

• Timeline: 2012 Providence Homicides

"We continue to struggle with unpredictable violence. Person on person, or individual group on group," said Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements.

On Thursday, the capital city announced a new initiative to help curb Providence violence. They're increasing community street workers from four to 10 and expanding Project Night Vision, a recreational program for young people.

• Related: City outlines plan to combat violence

An outreach program making sure every neighborhood has a crime watch is already underway. And in June, leaders held a meeting to introduce a new hotline so residents could call in illegal guns. Officials said so far, the hotline is working.

Police also said one of the most important components of the new initiative working is community involvement.

"We can't solve crimes until we have cooperation and we have trust," said Steven Pare, Providence Public Safety Commissioner.

The funeral for Damien Colon is set to take place Saturday. The third victim, Michael Martin will be laid to rest on Monday.