JOHNSTON, R.I. (AP) — Jason Burgeson's family spent part of the weekend picking out his casket, the finality almost too much to bear.
"We can't make sense of it," Kellie Surdis, 26, said Sunday of her brother's slaying. "We're just completely shocked."
What began as a night of dancing for the 20-year-old college student and a friend, ended with the pair kidnapped from downtown Providence, then taken to a golf course in Johnston and both shot in the head.
The slayings were the first in this community of 26,500 in five years.
"You can read about it happening elsewhere, but when it comes in your back yard it frightens you," said Johnston Mayor William Macera.
Burgeson, of Lakeville, Mass., and Amy Shute, 21, of Coventry, were forced at gunpoint into Burgeson's sport utility vehicle early Friday morning. The carjackers took the victims to the golf course under construction then argued about whether to kill the pair. Burgeson was shot twice; Shute once.
Workers discovered the bodies later that day. They were together in a "semi-sitting position," Police Chief Richard Tamburini said.
An engagement ring that belonged to Shute was found at the scene by investigators.
"She removed it in an attempt to hide it from the assailants," Tamburini said. The victims, who were not engaged, were robbed of a small amount of cash.
Five suspects have been charged with murder, kidnapping and carjacking and were scheduled to be arraigned Monday, police said. One suspect was stopped by police while riding in Burgeson's vehicle less than an hour after the investigation began. The others were arrested Saturday.
Burgeson's family said they would push for the death penalty under a federal carjacking statute. The statute allows for the death penalty if the crime results in murder. Rhode Island does not have the death penalty.
"This was a random act," said Surdis, of Fall River, Mass. "Jason was picked out of nowhere. We'll do what we can to get the death penalty."
Tom Connell, spokesman for U.S. Attorney Janet Reno, said it would ultimately be up to her to seek the death penalty under the federal statute. A grand jury would first have to indict the suspects on the charges.
Gregory Floyd, 19; Harry Burdick, 21; Sammie Sanchez, 20; Raymond Anderson, 19, Kenneth Day, 21, were being held at the state prison. Burdick is from Pawtucket; the others are from Providence.