Jury finds Providence man guilty of 2022 murder
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that a Providence man has been found guilty following a jury trial in Providence County Superior Court of the murder of 36-year-old Qudus Kafo, stemming from a shooting outside a Pawtucket cigar bar in 2022.
On December 14, 2023, following the conclusion of an eight-day jury trial before Superior Court Justice Kristin E. Rodgers, the jury found Trequan Baker (age 31) guilty of one count of second degree murder, one count of discharging a firearm while in the commission of a crime of violence with death resulting, one count of possession of a firearm without a license, and one count of conspiracy to carry a pistol without a license.
The defendant is currently being held without bail at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) pending a sentencing hearing to be scheduled later.
“Tragedies like this are unfortunately all too common and altogether avoidable,” said Attorney General Neronha. “This defendant brought a gun to a fistfight and as a result, many lives are now irrevocably changed for the worse. I hope this verdict provides some measure of peace for the victim’s family. And thank you to the Pawtucket Police for their consistent commitment to seeking justice for the victims of violent crime.”
During the trial, the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant shot and killed one victim following a dispute at a Pawtucket cigar bar.
On the evening of January 23, 2022, members of the defendant’s family visited Fab City Cigar Lounge in Pawtucket where they congregated in a back room bar. The victim, Qudus Kafo, was also at the bar.
At one point in the evening, there was a verbal altercation and a member of the defendant’s family exited the bar to make a phone call. A short time later, the defendant arrived and engaged in a conversation with the victim. Lounge security intervened and the argument temporarily dissipated. Subsequently, as captured on video surveillance, the defendant continuously monitored the whereabouts of the victim.
Four minutes prior to a physical fight, Trequan Baker retrieved a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol from his vehicle. As captured from the video surveillance, he immediately racked the slide back, loading a round in the chamber.
When a fist fight started between members of defendant’s family and the victim, Baker ran into the roadway of Benefit Street and fired a shot, a point-blank range, striking Qudus Kafo in the abdomen. Rescue personnel transported the victim to Rhode Island Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
“I want to thank the men and women of the Pawtucket Police Department and the Attorney General’s Office for their work in bringing this defendant to justice,” said Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves. “Cases like these are life-changing for the victims and their families, and startling to our community. I am glad this defendant has been brought to justice.”
Special Assistant Attorneys General Edward G. Mullaney and Gregory Moore of the Office of the Attorney General and Detective Douglas Harrington of the Pawtucket Police Department led the investigation and prosecution of the case.
