Gavin Seymour, right, was given a four-decade prison sentence on Friday for starting a fire at a Denver residence that caused the deaths of five Senegalese immigrants on Aug. 5, 2020. (Denver Prosecutor’s Office)
One of three young people who believed they were setting fire to the house of the individuals who had stolen from them, but instead caused the deaths of five innocent immigrants, including two young children, received his punishment on Friday.
A Denver A judge handed 19-year-old Gavin Seymour a 40-year prison term for the Aug. 5, 2020, fire. Seymour was only 16 years old when he, along with Kevin Bui, also 16 at the time, and then-15-year-old Dillon Siebert, sought retaliation against the individuals who took Bui’s phone during a drug transaction, authorities said.
Somehow, the trio came to believe the robbers resided in a residence in Denver’s Green Valley Ranch neighborhood, as per an arrest affidavit. They visited a costume shop, purchased hockey-style masks, broke into the home through the rear door with containers filled with gasoline, drenched the walls with the accelerant before igniting it and fleeing. The residence swiftly became completely engulfed in flames.
A nearby police officer observed the fire and attempted to enter through the front door, but the smoke and flames were too intense. Three people leaped from a second-story window to safety. Nonetheless, five individuals — Djibril “Jibby” Diol, his 23-year-old wife Adja, and their 21-month-old daughter, Khadija, in addition to Diol’s sister Hassan and her 6-month-old daughter, Hawa Beye — were discovered deceased at the front door of the home. They had no connection to Bui's robbery.
Authorities stated they were able to place Seymour, Bui, and Siebert at the location using their cell phones. The defendants were also captured on video purchasing the masks at the store, authorities explained. Law enforcement arrested the three in January 2021 on numerous charges, including first-degree murder and arson.
Prosecutors brought 60 charges against Seymour. He admitted guilt to second-degree murder in January in return for dropping the other 59 charges and agreeing to a sentence range between 16 and 40 years.
Local NBC affiliate KUSA described Friday’s lengthy hearing as emotionally charged, with individuals from both sides pleading their cases.
'You don’t deserve jail – you deserve the death penalty – but since we don’t have that in Colorado – give the maximum,' said family member Hapsa Ba.
Hamady Diol, who lost his son, daughter, and grandchildren in the fire, called into the hearing from Senegal.
'I’m powerless. I’m unlearned — but know that the people you killed they couldn’t even kill a fly,' he said through a translator. 'The people you killed were my hope and life. Know you haven’t just killed five people — myself and their mother — we’re breathing — but we’re dead.'
Seymour, for his part, sounded remorseful.
'I relive August 5th, 2020, every day I wake up,' Seymour expressed. 'I want to apologize for my role in the arson. There is not a moment I don’t feel remorse. I wish it was me instead of them.'
His parents stated he succumbed to peer pressure but is a good kid.
His mother, Stephanie Tyler, said that the tragedy does not define her son's soul. She believes that Gavin is not a monster, but instead made a serious decision and is willing to make amends.
Ultimately, Denver District Court Judge Karen Brody sentenced Seymour to the maximum years in prison allowed by the plea agreement.
Judge Brody expressed that the tragedy is incomprehensible for all those involved. Denver PostShe stated that there was a loss of the most innocent lives.
Siebert was given a seven-year term in juvenile prison and could face a 26-year suspended sentence if he violates his parole. Bui's case is still ongoing, and he is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, as reported by KUSA.
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