Man shot during Providence home invasion shares story
by: Elizabeth Turley, Alex Torres-Perez
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Jesse Crum IV says he had just gotten home from work the night of May 22 and was relaxing with headphones on when someone kicked in the door of his Indiana Avenue apartment.
Crum and his two roommates were forced into one room by the suspects, who threatened them with guns and demanded money and drugs.
“They were like, ‘Give us the money or we’re going to start shooting. Give us the money, give us the drugs or we’re going to start shooting,’” Crum told 12 News. “And I’m like, ‘Look, man, I don’t sell drugs. I don’t use drugs. I’m just trying … I’m just a steady working young guy just trying to make it.’ And he was like, ‘If you don’t start coughing up money or drugs in the next five minutes, I’m gonna shoot you regardless.’”
According to Crum, that was when he kicked one of the robbers in the shin and started trying to get the gun away from one of the suspects, drawing the attention away from his roommates, who jumped out the window to escape.
Crum said the suspects cornered him into another room and started beating him up, and he heard two gunshots ring out.
“I first thought I had gotten shot in the head,” Crum told 12 News. “But … it was just bleeding.”
Crum said the robbers ran off and he ran after them screaming for help.
Crum was shot in the chest and stomach and was also suffering from minor head trauma. He’s on the mend after several weeks in the ICU, but said it’s “heartbreaking” that no arrests have been made in the case.
Crum’s family has started a GoFundMe page to raise money for his hospital bills. If you want to donate, click here.