In 2004, over 21 people have been so far killed by police bullets. Most of these matters remain under investigation while some have already headed to the courts, where a magistrate-acting as coroner-will determine the fate of the officer who allegedly pulled the trigger. This month alone, six young men lost their lives at the hands of the police.
By GYASI GONZALESFollowing is a list of those shot to death by the police for the year:
1. Christopher Kanhai: An Arima man shot dead by the police on January 7. Kanhai and other hunters were emerging from the Lalaha Forest in Paria when they met a party of Northern Division officers. Police claimed that they ordered the hunter to stop but that Kanhai pointed his hunting rifle at them and they fired in self-defence. The matter is currently being investigated.
2. Kevin Cato: Shot dead by a police officer on the night of January 25 while at the Outrageous in Red Fete at Pier One, Chaguaramas. A police enquiry into the death followed and PC Dave Burnett ,of the Western Division, was initially charged with murder, which was reduced to manslaughter after the preliminary enquiry.
3. Sterling Pompey: Shot dead by the police on January 27. At 1.30 p.m. Pompey was at his home on Mozart Street, Diego Martin, when officers of the West End Police Station visited to serve him a warrant. Pompey reportedly fired on officers who returned fire hitting Pompey several times about the body.
Police are continuing enquiries.
4., 5. and 6. Ishmael Clarke, Sherwyn Samuel, and Shawn Sargeant:
All three were shot dead by patrolling police officers on the evening of March 12. Police said the men were attempting to rob a security van at the Trincity Mall car park in Trincity. Police say they attempted to apprehend the men, the men fired, and officers returned fire killing all three. The matter is being investigated.
7. Dawn Clarke: Shot dead on March 14 at Gasparillo Beach. The matter remains under investigation.
8. and 9: Ryan Jaipaul and Stanley Hope:
Both men shot dead by officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, on March 17, at Lady Young Road in Morvant, near William Avenue. Both were wanted for kidnapping, murder and robbery, with Jaipaul being a one-time member of the ill-fated "Death Wish" gang. In a bid to elude the law, Jaipaul was said to have staged his own kidnapping but his plan was only found out when he was shot dead. His partner, Stanley Hope, was said to be a specialist getaway driver. The matter remains under investigation.
10. Reynold Brown:
Shot dead on June 17.
11. Damien Antoine: The 21-year-old was shot dead by the police on July 1 near his home at La Platte Village in Maraval. Police said they were about to serve a warrant against Antoine when he fired on them. La Platte villagers claim however that Antoine was among four other men who were liming when the police drove up to them and told them to lie on the ground. Villagers further alleged that Antoine attempted to run but was shot by the officers. The matter remains under investigation.
12. and 13. Roger "Pulky" Raphael and Kamo Raphael:
Both men were shot dead by officers of the Crime Suppression Unit on August 5 at Lady Young Road in Morvant. Police said that when they attempted to stop a car with the men, the men fired several shots and the officers returned fire killing both of them. One eyewitness said however that officers surrounded the vehicle and rained a volley of shots at the car.
Both men were said to have several matters pending before the courts. The matter remains under investigation.
14. Don King: The 22-year-old was shot dead during the Lake Splash fete in La Brea on August 22. The officer who allegedly fired the shot claimed it was an accident. Eyewitnesses said King was shot in the back while running away. The matter is being investigated.
15. Michael Mann: Shot dead in La Mango, St Joseph.
16. Jovan Maxwell: Shot dead by the police in Tobago on October 10. Police alleged that hours before being shot dead Maxwell (of Morvant) and another man robbed a Scarborough restaurant and bar. He was shot dead later that day by a party of officers.
The matter remains under investigation.
17. Sherman Monsegue: The 18-year-old was shot dead near his Schuller Street, Carenage, home on October 13. Police said the teenager was armed with a gun, a charge that has been rejected by fellow villagers. Police maintain he fired at them and they returned fire. The Commissioner of Police has since ordered a probe into the shooting.
18. Prem Narad, 15.
19. Kevin Singh, 16.
20. Dennis Roopchand, 19.
21. Ravi Boodhoo, 15.
All four teenagers were shot dead in Freeport on the night of October 18 by a party of police officers. Police said that as they approached the youths some of them fired on the officers, following which officers returned fire, killing them all. The matter is now under investigation.
