PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — What was supposed to be a day of celebration turned tragic for the family of an 18-year-old Providence man who was shot and killed over the weekend.

Darmani Balbuena was standing in the driveway outside his Rhodes Street home Sunday afternoon when he was shot once in the chest.

Providence Police Col. Oscar Perez told 12 News Balbuena’s family flagged down an officer who was patrolling the neighborhood. Balbuena was rushed to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Perez said Balbuena was killed on his 18th birthday.

“It’s extremely sad,” Perez said. “No family should ever have to go through this type of loss or trauma.”

No arrests have been made at this time, though Perez stressed that whoever’s responsible will be held accountable.

Lisa Ranglin, president of the Rhode Island Black Business Association (RIBBA), told 12 News her heart breaks for Balbuena’s mother.

“When we give birth to our children, we don’t intend to bury them,” Ranglin said. “I can only imagine what his mom is going through. It’s just devastating.”

Ranglin stressed that Balbuena isn’t the only one whose life was cut short by senseless violence. His death marked the capital city’s sixth homicide of the year.

“We can’t normalize these killings,” she said. “I am absolutely sick of thoughts and prayers.”

Ranglin is urging the state to make meaningful investments in Rhode Island’s youth, noting that a lack of opportunities can create “a breeding ground for violence.”

In a statement to 12 News, city spokesman Josh Estrella said Providence has invested nearly $850,000 in paid summer workforce development opportunities for youth.

Estrella said the city has also allocated more than $800,000 in grants to support youth mentoring programs through MENTOR Rhode Island .

“These investments have been in addition to our annual EAT PLAY LEARN PVD summer initiative,” Estrella noted.

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Daily Roundup

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.