‘They killed my son for nothing’

The deceased’s mother, Beverly Lee, distraught at the scene of the shooting.

As of Monday, May 28, 2018

Video

Police press conference

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

TEMPERS flared in the Masons Addition community yesterday after officers responding to an armed robbery, fatally shot a 20-year-old male said to have carried out the crime.

It marked the eighth fatal police shooting this year.

Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash said police were responding to an armed robbery near East Street and Bethel Ground Corner around 9.15am, when they travelled to McCullough Corner and met two men who matched the description of the suspects.

Video

The scene of the police shooting

(graphic content, strong language)

CSP Cash said one of the assailants produce a firearm, and police in fear for their lives, opened fire.

“On scene was a firearm that was recovered from that victim. It was a .40 calibre weapon. That firearm is in the possession of the police,” CSP Cash said.

He added: “EMS was called in, who came to the scene, they examined the victim, transported him to the accident and emergency centre of the Princess Margret Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.”

Deangelo Evans

The deceased was identified as 20-year-old Deangelo Evans by relatives a short time later.

According to CSP Cash the second suspect who was stopped at the scene managed to escape police and is now on the run. Police have failed to give any description.

The coroner has been informed and will now examine the incident.

Meanwhile at the scene, residents who saw the incident claimed police approached Evans, who was standing with another man on Sandy Lane off McCullough Corner, searched both men, and in the course of that search, opened fire.

Residents reported hearing at least eight gunshots; all purportedly fired by police.

“It is crazy how this all happen,” said a neighbour of Evans who asked for his identity to be withheld.

“To keep it real, (the decease) just walked past my house with another guy. He wasn’t running. He didn’t look nervous or none of that (expletive). Dude say the pot we had going smelled right, and he continued walking toward the street.

“Car pulled up. We hear what was going down and then, (shots rang out).

“I dipped down in my house because I live in a wooden house, I think (expletive) could pop off in my (house). I got down lower and crawl to the door and I could see the police just firing away,” the resident said.

“I thought I was losing it, because he just talk to me. He just say the pot was smelling nice like he always is do, an in couple minutes the man had my boy with he hands up and then down on he back bleeding out.”

“I ran outside like everyone else, it was only the black jeep with the two officers. So everyone was trying to help (the decease). One of the dudes from the corner was going to turn him over on his back, I say no leave him on his stomach so he wouldn’t choke on the blood.”

It was at this point the resident said, additional officers showed up to the scene and began to section off the area with yellow tape.

That resident insisted that it was at this point he, and several other residents became agitated because officers claimed Evans was shot for brandishing a weapon.

“It gone sideways quick because we hear what he say. We know it was (expletive) because the man ain’t had no weapon and it wasn’t none there.”

“When the noise start, all of a sudden we see one of the officers walk off and point back at a gun.

“I couldn’t believe it. I was just standing there and no gun was there,” he said pointing at the spot where police said they recovered a firearm.

“How? Tell me how? All these people through here see. We know. They ride through here, see these lil’ dudes, search them, and shot one dead.”

The resident walked over to wall where the two men were initially approached by police, and continued: “How? Look at this, all the wall shot up. All the road shot up. They say he had a gun, in this close area, none of them get shot, the next man ain’t get shot; but that lil’ dude got more than 18 holes in him? Pure (expletive).”

The Tribune continued to canvass the area, eventually coming across the deceased’s mother, Beverly Lee.

She told The Tribune her cellphone was bombarded by calls around 10:30am; responding to one, she said she was informed her son had been shot by police.

“They say my son get shoot up by police. I say why the police shoot him, no one knew. I came here and they told me he was already to the hospital,” she said.

“Before I could even make it there, I see all kind of news from the police that my son rob a shop, had a gun and was trying to hide from them. I couldn’t understand it,” Ms Lee told The Tribune.

Pointing at the scores of neighbours surrounding her at the time, “Most, if not all these people just see my boy a little while before this happened. He walk out the house (Masons Addition), walk up that way (McCullough Corner) to look for one of his friends.”

“Now they all over the radio and TV saying my boy robbing places and shooting at the police.”

Evans’ death also marked the second police-involved homicide in community since 2016.

There have also been several other non-fatal police involved shootings, according to the residents.

These circumstances led former Senator and current talk show host Rodney Moncur to visit the scene yesterday.

“The family called me and told me what happened,” he told The Tribune. “The indication is, that this young man was unarmed, searched by police and somehow shot in the process.”

Mr Moncur, who has been outspoken throughout the years on gun violence in inner city communities, said there needs to be more clarity around the investigation and reporting of police-involved shootings.

“We have been listening to these kinds of matters for years. The way they are handled is almost one-sided. A few years ago, a man was shot dead in my yard by police. When it was investigated, no one spoke to me. When it went to court, I was never called.

“I am not trying to paint a bad picture against police, I just want the public and those that see things to have their say. When you limit the voice of the people, who cause these types of tension. This young man was known and love by this community. Now you are saying that out of nowhere, today he decided to pick up a gun, rob a store and then walk around his neighbourhood with that gun,” Mr Moncur added.

Police over the weekend also recovered a 9mm pistol along with seven rounds of ammunition in a separate incident.

According to police reports, shortly after 3am Saturday, Flying Squad Officers, acting on information, while on Collins Avenue and Fifth Terrace, Centreville, conducted a search of a 2006 Buick Car and recovered the firearm and ammunition.

An adult male and female, occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody and are expected to be formally charged before Magistrate Court this week.

Anyone with information about these two incidents are asked to contact police by calling 919, 322-3333/4, 502-9991, 502-9910, or Crime Stoppers on 328-TIPS.

Cobalt 6 years, 5 months ago

John will be responding to this story in 5.... 4...... 3..... 2..... 1......

TheMadHatter 6 years, 5 months ago

Can someone please make Mr Moncur be our prime minister? I'm serious. He loves the Bahamian people and is a fighter and man of action and wisdom.

Lady Pindling can you do this today please? For us? For your children and grandchildren? For your country?

Or shall we just continue along our current path to Hell?

DWW 6 years, 5 months ago

absolutely no way. moncur is an attention monger.

John 6 years, 5 months ago

John responded to the story yesterday and earlier today. He also responded to another story where a (white) police officer was seen striking a (white) female teenager on the beach (not in the Bahamas). He struck her several times in her head. Apparently the teen was a minor and intoxicated. When the police tried to remove her off the beach, she kicked him in the groin. That video has white America outraged against the cops. She kicked him in his family jewels.

DDK 6 years, 5 months ago

We are starting to sound like the Land of the Free. I think maybe we have emulated the worst in that country for too long.

proudloudandfnm 6 years, 5 months ago

They have a gun they say was taken from the scene. A fingerprint check should clear this up quickly.

DWW 6 years, 5 months ago

that can be faked very very easily

Sickened 6 years, 5 months ago

I just want to know if the kid was a gang member. If so, then I don't care who shot him or why. To be a gang member you have to commit a crime. This is the punishment. If he isn't a gang member or a criminal then I feel sorry for the family's loss.

sheeprunner12 6 years, 5 months ago

Not my good child ............ smh

bogart 6 years, 5 months ago

Gun on the scene....where are all these it seems hundreds of illegal guns are coming from.....year after year ...after year.....why are these illegal Haiting Human trafficker boatloads of illegal migrants ...keep coming year after year...after year....why are these illegal shipment of duugs keep coming....year after year....after year.....why do we keep having....corruption.revealed.....every time we get a new govt in power ...new govt after new govt...after new govt?????

DWW 6 years, 5 months ago

collecrtive insanity?

stillwaters 6 years, 5 months ago

Another saga based on my good child, a quiet person who didn't bother anybody........and then later, he was not perfect, but............

proudloudandfnm 6 years, 5 months ago

These illegal guns come from the gun happy US. The US knows this but unfortunately republicans are evil and will never do the right thing. As long as republicans exist the US and it's neighbouring countries will have a gun problem. Republicans are the only problem when it comes to guns. Evil people...

Aegeaon 6 years, 5 months ago

Don't try to make the other political party sound good when the Democrats also have bad practices, such as the Benghazi Incident, Pizzagate, Bill Clinton and the email-screw ups. No one's exempt from one bad government party.

Porcupine 6 years, 5 months ago

Absolutely right. They all sell their soul to the NRA. One yacht coming into The Bahamas can carry all the guns needed for the next 50 years. Forget that fight. Teach your kids to solve their problems without guns, and we have solved the problem. We are making it too complicated.

johnmcntsh 6 years, 5 months ago

AEGEON, Please do not reference Pizzagate. Do your homework, that was proved, without a shadow of a doubt, to be a lie. Benghazi. Do you want to have a factual discussion on that? I will gladly. GUNS? Are you blaming democrats for guns?? They have wanted strict gun control for ever! I will give you Bill and emails but on the emails there is not one speck of evidence that it was done on purpose. Careless? Without a doubt.

John 6 years, 5 months ago

What seems consistent in the various eyewitness is the victim had just left Home to meet a friend to go do some work. They were stopped by the police and searched. Then they were released. As they were walking away police opened fire hitting the victim numerous times in his back. He was the only person shot. At this point a weapon other than the police issues did appear on the scene. Numerous accounts as to where it came from , many being consistent with a police officer leaving the scene and returning. While the police report states the officers were responding to an armed robbery in the area carried out by persons whose clothing fit those of the victim and ‘the other male who fled,’ they haven’t identified the establishment that was robbed.

licks2 6 years, 5 months ago

John you did such a poor job of reading or listening to the stories of persons on the sean that you border on reckless Jack Assness. . .carry with ya dumb crap. . .you could end up in court for such abandon slander. . .

sheeprunner12 6 years, 5 months ago

These illegal gun smugglers bring them in via Family Islands through Customs direct from the USA ...... or on Haitian sloops from Haiti & Jamaica .......... Some fools try Nassau or Freeport, but too risky ..... And of course the go-fast boats run them across from Miami & Ft. Lauderdale to Bimini, West End or Abaco ........ And then there are the American tourists who casually trade them from their yachts .......... Take your choice of the ways that illegal guns reach our shores.

DDK 6 years, 5 months ago

The "tourists" pay for their vacations that way.

Dawes 6 years, 5 months ago

Justice must be served, and as such there should be a full impartial investigation of all the police shootings and in a reasonable time frame (not years). If the police are at fault they should be held accountable, however if the young man is at fault then they should be exonerated. Either way justice must be seen to be done, as all these police shootings are currently doing is sowing discontent in the population as no one sees the outcomes of the coroners court and are therefore starting to not trust the justice system of the land.

sheeprunner12 6 years, 5 months ago

Can we have a detailed unbiased biography of the life and character of Deangelo Evans????? ....... and not just the emotive comments of his family???? ......... We know that families are biased towards the good character and "not guilty" verdict of their relatives/children ........ Just saying.

John 6 years, 5 months ago

The deceased (DeAngelo Evans) is personally known to the prime minister. The prime minister is a family friend and DeAngelo helps to build the pm’s Junkanoo costume from time to time. The pm did visit the scene yesterday but declined to meet with the grieving family in the presence of the press. A community store was robbed prior to the fatal shooting by persons one whose clothing matched the description of the deceased.

Sickened 6 years, 5 months ago

The PM knew Toggie and BooBoo as well. Just sayin'.

licks2 6 years, 5 months ago

And your point is what? I find it strange that every time a thug guns down an other on the streets and the gun carrying dead thug's gun is found near him nobody says a word about someone placing a gun near the body. . .but police shootings people like John "imply" the police put that gun on the scene. Many persons get guns point at them all the time by lil good children and robbed or something else. . .they stay reporting that "them lil tief them" pulled a real gun on them. . .and we believe they had a real gun pulled on them. . .yet every time the police meet up with those same lil gun pullers. . .persons like John talk "things" like he wonder if there was a real gun pulling gone down!

birdiestrachan 6 years, 5 months ago

At first he said he did not know toggie or bogie it was only after he was called out you know like the fake signing of the OBAN contract. he admitted one of them bought him fish. He stews fish a lot.

John 6 years, 5 months ago

Well since it was a store in the community that was robbed it should be easy to establish if the deceased was indeed the robber. And as police killings near 30 in a year, Everyone should be concerned about these unharnessed killings.

licks2 6 years, 5 months ago

There were seven john. . .with an exponential rise of murdered victims in the last six years or so. . .more guns on the streets. . .means more citizens encountering guns pulled on them by lil hot and brass gun tooting good lil bouys. . .the more the police retched-up their face-on-face crime fighting strategy the likelihood of encountering hot and heavy gun tooting tugs goes up!! They pull guns on police. . .the police are better trained to shoot. . .the stakes are high out there. . .the police don't need foolish talking like john without using common sense. . .muddying the water. . .

sheeprunner12 6 years, 5 months ago

We know (based on John's comment) that Evans was known by the PM ............Was Deangelo Evans known TO the Police????? ......... And all that that phrase means

John 6 years, 5 months ago

@sheeprunner if you followed the press conference that question was answered. The victim was not known to police and no, he had no prior convictions. As for licks comments about the victim pulling a gun on the police at this point it is the police word against the community. The police claim the victim pulled a gun. Eyewitness say the young man had been searched and released was was walking away when police opened fire on him, firing more than 8 times. To suggest that I am ignorant reflects on your own lack of ability to comprehend what is going on. In all of the last 24 or more police shootings, the police claimed the victims(s) pulled a weapon. In all the instances where there were witnesses their account contradicts that of the police. In some cases camera phones of onlookers and in at least one instance the camera were seized by the police. Your prejudices have obviously gotten the better of your judgement.

sheeprunner12 6 years, 5 months ago

Thank you John ........ Right now ZNS-TV is not even on in Long Island, so cannot get news that way ..... except someone has a radio ...... Cellphones work fairly good, now that ALIV is here (more competition).

licks2 6 years, 5 months ago

John out of all the witnesses giving their "side of the story". . .one person actually saw what happened and he said [sic] "the police was searching him and all I see is when the police pushed him off and start shooting him". . .that same witness said that the police found the gun on the ground near the suspect. . .[sic] " I did not see no gun when I looked over there". Nobody else was close enough to see what you are implying. . .the only person who saw what went down said the police "pushed him off" and started shooting!! The question is why did the police "pushed him off"!

Sign in to comment

OpenID