Friendsfield lime ends in Tobago's 20th murder

A Wednesday evening lime on the block in Friendsfield has left one man dead and three others nursing gunshot wounds as Tobago recorded its 20th murder for 2024. Dead is 21-year-old Kerlon Thomas of Friendsfield.

According to police reports, around 7.30pm on August 21, a group of men were liming at the side of the roadway when three men armed with guns including a rifle, came out of a white Nissan station wagon and began shooting at them. The men then got back into the vehicle, which then sped off south along Friendsfield Road.

Nine minutes later, police responded to a report of gun shots at Friendsfield Road, Scarborough. On arrival, three men were found lying on the roadway nursing gunshot wounds, while Thomas appeared to be motionless on the ground, down the flight of stairs on the eastern side of the roadway.

A district medical officer visited the scene and pronounced Thomas dead at 10 pm and ordered his body be taken to the mortuary of the Scarborough General Hospital.

Of the surviving three victims, one has since being listed in critical condition while the other two are in a stable condition.

Nicholas Bovell, also of Friendsfield, was among the injured. Bovell is the brother of murdered Trinibad dancehall artiste N’Kosi "Fari Dan" Bovell, who was shot multiple times while liming at the Dutch Fort Restaurant and Bar in Scarborough, in May 2022.

The names of the other men were not revealed.

The vehicle used in the shooting was was later found abandoned at Belmont Road, Mason Hall.

The homicide division is continuing investigations.

When Newsday visited Friendsfield on August 22, it was a ghost town, but Friendsfield Village Council president Javon Thompson said while he did not know Thomas personally, the incident had left him deeply hurt.

“I was like, 'Why Tobagonians on a whole allowing these people to come from Trinidad and influence this kind of lifestyle?'

"Or even, 'Why you want this kind of lifestyle for yourself? That lifestyle doesn’t make sense.'”

Thompson said the entire island was getting “out of hand...

“In growing up, we were never accustomed to these things.

"When someone had a disagreement, they would fight it out and, after that, everyone would return to their respective homes. But the generation now, I don’t know what is going on. We’re heading down a kind of path that is very scary.”

He said the council had discussed youth-based activities in an effort to get the youths off the streets.

Speaking on the Tobago Updates morning show mere hours later, police Snr Supt Rodhill Kirk spoke about the murder.

“We recognise that it is directly linked to gang activities, notwithstanding that the deceased may not have been involved in any gang activities. However, we recognise that the level of association (with gangs) among the youths (has increased).”

Kirk said while Friendsfield was normally known for gathering, it was public information that there was a drug den in the area.

“We recognise if you look at the pattern, it is the same throughout. It seems like individuals are directly targeted and are sought and these – it’s a rivalry.”

He called on community members to play their role.

“Do not leave it entirely up to the police. We were out, and people would tell you that the response was quick.

"The vehicle used in that incident was also recovered in a short space of time. But again, persons have to be vigilant in their areas. You have to also police your own space because we know what is happening.

"We have resources on the ground. We have resources moving about, and the thing about it, again, the police cannot be everywhere at every time. So we highly depend upon members of the community to partner, to play a role in terms of when they see something, say something.

"It would shorten the time that we respond because we’ll have some sought of surveillance in respect of what is happening.”

Kirk said notwithstanding that other serious crimes were not of significant proportion, shooting and wounding troubled him and his officers, given that gunmen did not care who got hurt once they began shooting.

“They may be targeting one person and innocent persons who are around would also be affected. We recognise that there were nearby vehicles that were hit, and this is what is so concerning to me.

"It may seem as though the police is not doing anything – the police are doing a lot – but again, we recognise that we can’t even pinpoint a hot spot in Tobago now, because anywhere that you see these young fellas move to, that is the intended target. And notwithstanding that, the police are always out there.”

He added that police are not just reactive.

“Yes we have intelligence, yes we have information, we have put a lot of proactive measures in place. We have increased our visibility, based on the data that we have. We have been using it in terms of deploying our patrols strategically. But, again, when we focus on some areas, these incidents are migrating to other areas...

"We have been getting some co-operation from members of the public, but we need more. A lot could be done with the co-operation of all stakeholders.”

Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine could not be reached for comment, however, Minority Leader Kelvon Morris said he was extremely saddened and disappointed by the conduct of some of the young men on the island.

“Despite the best efforts of law enforcement, the bloodletting continues, signalling that the problem of crime and criminality is even more severe than any of us could have imagined. Now, more than ever, those efforts must be redoubled.”

Morris added: “If we see something, we must add our voices and hands to the fight against crime. To give up is to hand over our beautiful paradise to those intent on destroying it.

"Now is the time for all arms of the State – Central Government, the THA, and law enforcement – to work together, side by side, to restore peace and security to our island. We must collaborate to root out criminal elements wherever they may reside.”

He said at this point everyone must all remain vigilant, hopeful, and united in the fight to protect Tobago.

“This is a fight we must face together, and it is a fight we must win.”

Chairman of the Tobago Business Chamber Martin George expressed his disgust.

"It appears that Tobagonians are comfortable and happy with that because while some express concern, a lot of them remain numb and dumb as the island careens over the edge into chaos and confusion and the Chief Secretary is fiddling in New York city while Tobago burns."

While Tobagonians in the street said the issue is of concern. They shared their suggestions.

"Get a proper police commissioner – Erla is not fit for the job."

Another said: "Bring back Gary Griffith, he is the best man for the job – tried, tested, proven."

On August 12, Keith Scotland, Minister in the Ministry of National Security was joined by Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Cristopher in a walkabout in the Crown Point district, followed by a tour of police stations across the island. The duo said they were in Tobago for 48-72 hours and planned to visit several communities across the island in a dent in Tobago’s crime situation.