Cause it's a little thing I know called faith
All you need is much as a mustard seed
And the Lord will keep you safe"
Sean Pointe shared these words on his Facebook page last September. But there was no protecting him from what happened on Friday, June 3.
Pointe — that's the spelling he and his loved ones use online, although the Denver coroner's office has identified him as Sean Point — was among three people killed during what police are calling a drug deal gone bad. But while marijuana plants were found at the scene of the homicides, it's unclear whether cannabis had anything to do with what went down.
The weekend was an extremely violent one in the Mile High, with the Denver Police Department making particular note of four incidents, including a Saturday, June 4, shooting near Colfax and Colorado that wounded two, one critically; a shooting early on June 5 at 44th Avenue and Chambers that resulted in a non-life-threatening injury; a stabbing on the 4500 block of High Street for which 45-year-old Billie Whitecalf was arrested; and the one that involved Pointe.
At 8:15 p.m. on the 3rd, the DPD notes, officers responded to a residence on the 3600 block of Hudson Street.
Upon their arrival, they found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. They couldn't be revived.
Denver's Office of the Medical Examiner subsequently identified them as Pointe and Devonne Burton.
A third man — Derrius Woods — was transported to Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
In addition, a fourth, thus-far-unidentified individual was shot in the arm — and at least one other person is apparently wanted in the case. As noted by 9News, police were on the lookout for a 2015 maroon Chevy Tahoe with temporary tags.
The DPD's "drug deal gone wrong" verbiage was followed by confirmation that marijuana plants were found inside the home, which Pointe was reportedly renting.
However, a police spokesman tells 9News that investigators don't consider the crime to be marijuana-related and couldn't say whether or not other drugs were found inside Pointe's place.
Of the three people killed, Pointe was the most frequent Facebooker.
Early last month, for instance, he shared this photo along with these lines: "Almost done. But not ready to cut."
After Pointe's death, friends used the social-media service to memorialize him.
One mourner writes: "RIP Sean Pointe you were one of a kind — by far the most loyal, kind hearted and determined person I've ever known. This world is going to be a darker place without you in it. You’ve touched so many peoples lives, always putting those you loved before yourself – you were a true friend. You taught me so much about life, how to persevere through it’s endless obstacles and think positively no matter what was put in my path. My heart is broken. I truly regret leaving so many things unsaid. I hope you finally found peace, you deserve it. Give Momma Love a hug for me. ALWAYS ON POINTE. RESPECT."
Another adds: "I am in complete shock right now, mad, disgusted that there are people in this world like your killers. I don't even know what to say, I saw you two days ago.. You were such a good friend. It was not your time to go. I love you Sean Pointe, grateful your presence blessed my life. DPD better find the people that did this. Everyone keep Stephen Pointe and their family in your thoughts and prayers!"
A third person is more succinct: "I'll miss you Sean Pointe. This is bullshit."
Facebook memorials also appeared for Woods, seen in this photo.
For instance, one person shared this pic....
...along with a caption that reads, "Fly High little cousin..... REST IN HEAVEN DERRIUS WOODS."
Another checked in with this: "I remember when I last seen you at the mall been awhile back but I'll never forget that "GOLDEN SMILE" & you giving me a BiG hug while saying I love you cousin!! We definitely go miss you. Love you Derrius Woods (DaeDae)."
As for Burton, his two Facebook pages reveal his nickname to have been "Paper Chase."
Here's one photo of him....
...and another:
Memorial posts to Burton include the following:
What happened Bro..... we was supposed to make it out this shit together!!! Ill always miss you Bro......At this point, we don't know who shot whom, or the circumstances of the crime.
We Had A Good Night That Night... LAST TIME WE SPOKE YOU TOLD ME TO STAY FREE AND FOCUS ON MY MUSIC... WORDZ ILL NEVER FORGET MY NINJA... ONE LOVE REST IN PARIDISE SAY WHATS UP TO MY BIG BROTHER #TTMACKDUCE FOR ME FAM #NEVERFORGOTTEN
I can't believe that out of all the.shit we did together my fucking boy is gone!!! This man was the funniest motherfucker you could meet. He made everybody laugh no.matter how fucked up the situation!!! I'm gonna be thinking about you forever my homie!! RIP Devonne Burton you will not be forgotten........
But one thing is clear: Three more young men are dead thanks to gun violence, leaving loved ones to grieve their loss.
Here's a 9News report broadcast shortly after the shooting.
