A 16-year-old and a 17-year-old teenager have been charged with murder in connection with a triple homicide that took place on General Street in Providence on July 30.

The teens were each charged with three counts of murder and three counts of murder, three counts of use of firearms while committing a crime of violence and one charge of conspiracy to commit robbery in Family Court Friday afternoon. They are accused of shooting and killing Michael Martins, 23, Damien Colon, 22, and Shemmeeka Barros, 22. There were small children in the apartment at the time of the incident.

“What happened this afternoon the two individuals both juveniles were presented before the Family Court they have been detained and it is the intent of the Office of Attorney General that we will seek to waive them into adult court for these crimes,” said Attorney General Peter Kilmartin.

Authorities believe they have a motive. “Police believe the suspects were planning to rob the victims when the crime occurred. We believe the motive for this homicide was robbery and although we believe in that motive at this time the investigation continues and we are not yet finished with this investigation,” said Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare.

The families of the victims are still in mourning and hope to see justice served. “He was my only child. He was my life and now I have nothing. I have no grandchildren, nothing. I just hope justice is served and it is served quickly,” said victim’s Michael Martins mother, Debra.