Tobago cops urge public to expose criminals
Tobago Correspondent
Tobago police are asking residents to “open their eyes” and recognise the state of the island, after the record murder toll continued to climb on Wednesday night.
The plea follows another incident where gunmen attacked a group and gunned down Kurlon Thomas, 21, and left five others hospitalised, one of them in critical condition, at the Scarborough General Hospital.
Police said at 7.30 pm on Wednesday, three men pulled alongside and shot at the group of men liming at Friendsfield Road, Scarborough.
They then escaped in a white wagon. Investigators believe the murder and shooting may be gang-related. The car used in the shooting was found abandoned in Mason Hall moments later.
Among the injured were Davi Henry, 27, Javaughn Carter, 27, Isaiah Charles, 20, Omari Roberts, 21, and Nicholas Bovell,25.
Up to yesterday police said Bovell was critical and fighting for his life.
The island’s 2024 murder toll is now 20.
Senior Superintendent Rodhill Kirk told Guardian Media yesterday that residents must be less tolerant of the escalating violence in their communities.
“Right where the shooting took place, these guys congregate there, and that’s a known block. I’m asking people to push back by letting us know where these blocks are and when they are popping up in their community,”
Kirk said, noting Tobago police are doing everything they can as shootings and murders continue to rise.
In a heartfelt appeal, Kirk called on churches, NGOs and other social institutions to intervene. He also urged gang members to reconsider their actions and walk away from violence.
“Think again and walk away because we see what’s happening. If you look at the murders in Tobago, most of them were targeted by rival gangs. It’s time for us to wake up, open our eyes, and realise that our own people are dying.”
He said while the police act on intelligence and consistently monitor hotspots, criminals are tracking their victims and striking on the spot, even if it means killing the innocent.
Kirk added, “Although the public is in panic with the fear of crime, the police is out there doing all that we can do. It may seem as if we are not doing enough but with the recourse we have, I want to thank the officers dedicated to arresting this crime situation.”
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine could not be reached for comment yesterday.
When Guardian Media visited the area, residents were tightlipped but didn’t seem too bothered by Thomas’ death.
However, one resident was bothered by the force used by the gunmen.
The man, who didn’t want to be identified, said, “If you see (sic) how much shots ring out. Shells were all over the place. If I was passing I and all could have picked up. This was earlier in the evening not even late in the night.”
Police sources told Guardian Media Thomas, of Goodwood, was known to them for various offences.
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