Relatives of six suspects slain by police form support group

The relatives of the six robbery suspects killed by police on August 14 have formed a support group and intend to push for independent autopsies.

The relatives gathered at the Forensic Science Centre in St James on August 16 to identify the bodies of the victims. They will return on Monday, as the autopsies were not done because of a backlog.

The families told media they have questions they believe may not be answered on Monday.

A relative of Isaiah Olivierre said the group will consider getting legal advice and will not stop until they get justice for their loved ones.

The six were killed hours after an early-morning home invasion in Couva on August 14.

In a statement on August 15, police said officers from the Couva CID and the Central Division Task Force tracked the suspects to Razack Trace, Freeport.

Police said they saw a Toyota Aqua reportedly linked to the robbery, and when they announced themselves, the suspects shot at them. Police shot back, fatally injuring the six.

The five men and the teen girl were taken to the Couva Health Facility, where they were pronounced dead.

They have been identified as Jovan Simon, 31, of Diamond Village, Claxton Bay; Nicholas Caesar; brothers Saleem John, 19, and Kevon John, 23, of Sum Sum Hill, Claxton Bay; Isaiah Olivierre, 21, of Maturita Marie Avenue, Arima; and Salome Ranghill, 16, of George Street, La Romaine.