What’s the real story?: Police Kill Three
The first Saturday after the lifting of the curfew has already thrown up a heap of bloody stories with three (confirmed) murders. However, the one that should garner the most attention is shooting deaths of Hayden Honore, 31, Nkosi Borde. 28 and Nigel Eminess, 21.
These three were identified as fleeing bandits and shot dead in Chaguanas. Their three accomplices (who I won’t name because as far as I remember, they are not to be identified until they are charged and appear in court or are released) were arrested and remain in Police custody.
Following the incident, Police were quick to use the situation as a warning for other would be criminals, with a senior officer even declaring that criminals should think twice before coming to the Central Division.
Except for one thing, these men, at least according to relatives, may not be criminals at all.
I’ll now present both sides of the story:
From Police:
“At around 1:30am, police received reports of a robbery at Rich Gold bar in Chase Village. Police spotted two vehicles which matched the descriptions provided heading North along the Uriah Butler Highway and pursued. The men opened fire on the chasing officers and a gunfight began. One of the cars rammed repeatedly into an unmarked police vehicle. Both vehicles were immobilised and the men fled on foot into the bushes. Following assistance from Couva police and the K-9 unit, the men were caught in the bushes near Cemetery Street, Chaguanas. Honore, Borde and Eminess were killed in the shootout while the remaining three were taken into custody.”
From relatives:
“This morning (Saturday) I get the information that it had an incident in Chaguanas where they went to some club and gamble.
I not sure if that’s the correct information but like they had on gold chains and the fellas see they had money in their pocket and tried to rob them.There was some exchange, scrambling or whatever but the fellas get away and they head to come back down on the highway. The fellas in the bar, now like they call the police and let the police know that these (other) fellas just rob them. The police like they see the cars and without asking any questions shoot up the cars.”
Now for many it would seem to be the simple ‘my boys were innocent story’, particularly if Police can prove these guys had firearms and shot at them.
However there are a couple of things to consider here:
Relatives have explained that the cars belonged to the men and insurance documents can prove this, contrary to some police statements that the cars were stolen.
This may not be much to disprove their guilt, but most bandits in Trinidad don’t use their own cars to commit robberies. Also if the police cars were unmarked, which the police report confirmed, it’s possible the men would not have stopped after being hailed by police.
Secondly, relatives claim the money seized belonged the men. it’s very probable considering that this weekend was payday for fortnightly paid workers.
Thirdly, Rich Gold bar isn’t exactly a place most men would like their women to know they visited. So it’s also very likely they fled the club after the robbery (whether they were victims or not) just to not identified as being there.
Fourthly, as of yet I am yet to be informed of any charges being laid against the men. Is it that evidence is still be gathered against the men?
So to quote the relative one more time:
“I am asking for some kind of assistance in investigating exactly what it is really took place. That is all I’m asking for.”
Plain Talk, Good English
Filed under: Everyday Commentary, News
The first Saturday after the lifting of the curfew has already thrown up a heap of bloody stories with three (confirmed) murders. However, the one that should garner the most attention is shooting deaths of Hayden Honore, 31, Nkosi Borde. 28 and Nigel Eminess, 21.
These three were identified as fleeing bandits and shot dead in Chaguanas. Their three accomplices (who I won’t name because as far as I remember, they are not to be identified until they are charged and appear in court or are released) were arrested and remain in Police custody.
Following the incident, Police were quick to use the situation as a warning for other would be criminals, with a senior officer even declaring that criminals should think twice before coming to the Central Division.
Except for one thing, these men, at least according to relatives, may not be criminals at all.
I’ll now present both sides of the story:
From Police:
“At around 1:30am, police received reports of a robbery at Rich Gold bar in Chase Village. Police spotted two vehicles which matched the descriptions provided heading North along the Uriah Butler Highway and pursued. The men opened fire on the chasing officers and a gunfight began. One of the cars rammed repeatedly into an unmarked police vehicle. Both vehicles were immobilised and the men fled on foot into the bushes. Following assistance from Couva police and the K-9 unit, the men were caught in the bushes near Cemetery Street, Chaguanas. Honore, Borde and Eminess were killed in the shootout while the remaining three were taken into custody.”
From relatives:
“This morning (Saturday) I get the information that it had an incident in Chaguanas where they went to some club and gamble.
I not sure if that’s the correct information but like they had on gold chains and the fellas see they had money in their pocket and tried to rob them.There was some exchange, scrambling or whatever but the fellas get away and they head to come back down on the highway. The fellas in the bar, now like they call the police and let the police know that these (other) fellas just rob them. The police like they see the cars and without asking any questions shoot up the cars.”
Now for many it would seem to be the simple ‘my boys were innocent story’, particularly if Police can prove these guys had firearms and shot at them.
However there are a couple of things to consider here:
Relatives have explained that the cars belonged to the men and insurance documents can prove this, contrary to some police statements that the cars were stolen.
This may not be much to disprove their guilt, but most bandits in Trinidad don’t use their own cars to commit robberies. Also if the police cars were unmarked, which the police report confirmed, it’s possible the men would not have stopped after being hailed by police.
Secondly, relatives claim the money seized belonged the men. it’s very probable considering that this weekend was payday for fortnightly paid workers.
Thirdly, Rich Gold bar isn’t exactly a place most men would like their women to know they visited. So it’s also very likely they fled the club after the robbery (whether they were victims or not) just to not identified as being there.
Fourthly, as of yet I am yet to be informed of any charges being laid against the men. Is it that evidence is still be gathered against the men?
So to quote the relative one more time:
“I am asking for some kind of assistance in investigating exactly what it is really took place. That is all I’m asking for.”