Teen bandit an 'experienced criminal'

Southern Division police yesterday disputed claims that slain 15-year-old Isaac Simmons was targeted by officers. Instead, police referred to the boy as a menace who despite his age was an “experienced criminal”.

In at least three police stations–Ste Madeleine, Gasparillo and Marabella–police said reports were made against Simmons and relatives for narcotics and robberies offences.

“How could police target him specifically considering that he shot a police officer during a gunfire exchange? If you are a criminal, police will go after you. What is he doing with a gun in the first place? We have a duty to protect citizens and that is what we are doing,” said a senior policeman yesterday.

Simmons, a Form Three student of Carapichaima West Secondary School, was killed during a shootout with police at Marabella on Thursday. He was one of three suspects in a robbery at the home of a bank manager at Moze Drive, Gopaul Lands, Marabella. During the shootout, Simmons was killed and PC Anand Ram, 27, one the first responders, was shot and wounded. Ram is assigned to the Gasparillo Police Station.

Simmons’ grieving mother, Shenelle Rock, told Sunday Newsday that police while on patrols target and harass her family. Rock said police falsely accused and even charged relatives, including her two young sons, with various crimes over the years. Rock, a mother of four, claimed police even threatened to kill her relatives.

“Police keep fighting us down. I have not seen my son since he dead. He did not deserve it,” said the mother, standing by the account she first gave on Friday.

The death has marred both Christmas and birthday celebrations for Rock, who turns 35 on Friday. Rock reiterated that she has no confidence in the police and as such leaves the shooting death in the hands of the Lord.

Shortly after the shooting on Thursday, Rock’s mother, Merlene Rock, told reporters she had warned her grandson many times about the consequences of keeping bad company. The grandmother said Simmons “did a lot of wrong things” which she disliked.

“She was in shock at the time and said all kind of things. My mother is a praying soul. She got some dreams some months ago that this would have happened,” Rock said yesterday, playing down her mother's comments.

Following the shooting, police detained two people, ages 16 and 17. Late Friday, police released the 17-year-old and launched a search for another suspect.

Like Simmons, police said the detained suspect has a pending matter for robbery. He is expected to be charged with robbery with violence. Once charged, he will appear in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court. Sgt Ifill of Marabella Police Station is in charge of the investigations.

Ram, who has 18 months service, remained warded in a stable condition at the San Fernando General Hospital yesterday. He sustained gunshot wounds to the lower abdomen. His three colleagues, who also responded to the report, were not shot.

National Parent Teacher Association president Raffiena Ali-Boodoosingh yesterday said the school Simmons attended was not affiliated with the association but extended condolences to the family.

The retired primary school principal said parents must accept responsibility for their children.

“Parents must live an exemplary life for their children to follow. It has to be that parents take responsibly for their children’s behaviour.”