Covigne Road locked down as...
Cousins killed by cops
Geisha Kowlessar | 8:39 pm
Published: April 30, 2009
Residents step aside as heavily-armed soldiers walk through Covigne Road in Diego Martin yesterday. PHOTO: KARLA RAMOO
Geisha Kowlessar | 8:39 pm
Masked and carrying semi-automatic weapons, a contingent of soldiers, walking through Covigne Road in Diego Martin yesterday, commanded respect in the crime-riddled community. The soldiers were deployed in the area shortly after the killing of two men. Kendell “Pooh Bear” Charles, 26, and his cousin Kevon Charles, 24, aka “Wounded,” were killed during a reported shoot-out with law enforcement officers around 6 am.
Police said Kevon was the leader of the Covigne Road Gang and was being sought in connection with a series of offences including murder, drug trafficking, gun possession, robbery and shooting with intent. According to investigators, officers from the Joint Army Police Patrol (Japp) received information and swooped down on a shack at Upper Covigne Road.
Police said Kevon was dressed in full army fatigue. The officers said while they were approaching the shack, they were shot at, after which they returned fire. After the shooting, a semi-automatic weapon, a revolver, an army jacket and a quantity of cocaine and marijuana were found in the shack.
Describing Kevon as well known, officers claimed he was the mastermind behind several murders in the district, including those of rival gang members. The incident caused West End police to conduct several exercises—raiding homes and seeking out gang members. Police netted 15 people who, they said, were wanted for questioning in connection with several offences, including murders. Interviewed yesterday, one of Kevon’s uncles described him as a “gangster” who was prepared to “go down shooting.”
“Is true my nephew was a gangster and involve in illegal activity and he prepare himself to get kill anytime,” the uncle, who asked not to be identified said. The uncle also admitted that Kevon was also wanted for a series of murders. While acknowledging his nephew’s misdeeds, the uncle, however, claimed Kevon used to sell marijuana and part of the proceeds went to particular police officers attached to the Western Division. “He was in racket but not by himself...He was in it with some police,” the man said. “He tell me somebody get pay to kill him and he going down shooting.”
Uneasy presence
For the greater part of yesterday, police and soldiers locked down Covigne Road searching for illegal firearms and bullet-proof vests. But in the midst of conducting searches, the lawmen were greeted with hostility by some residents. As armed soldiers walked through the community, residents converged on the pavement.
They hurled obscenities at the soldiers demanding that they remove their masks. “Look what this place coming to...After police kill the boys they burn down the shack, it did not have to reach to this,” said a pensioner. Like other residents of crime-riddled communities, people complained of inaction by the police when reports of shooting were made.
“In these kind of communities the police don’t come, like they afraid...That is the norm and we accept that,” the resident said. But the majority of people, however, said the heavy army presence brought a sense of respect that was lacking for far too long in the community. “That is how we have to deal with them fellas, with brute force because they killing with brute force,” another resident said.