The day after Fr Clyde Harvey criticised the police for their actions in 38 police related killings for the year, another member of the clergy has chastised them. Harvey on Tuesday expressed alarm at the 38 police killings for the year, labelling them “extra-judicial killings”, as he delivered the homily at Tuesday’s inter-faith service of the ceremonial opening of the 2014/2015 law term.
“Over 30 of our citizens have been killed by police officers. These have been extra-judicial killings. Let’s name it for what it is. I think all of us have to feel something about that.” Harvey told the congregation. Speaking yesterday at the funeral of Kerron Wellington, who was killed by police last week the day before his 28th birthday, pastor Jimmy Hospedales said Wellington was wrongfully gunned down.
The service took place at the Bible Way Temple, Lady Young Road, Morvant. Hospedales told mourners Wellington’s death had created an anger within the community whose members were feeling a sense of injustice done to them. “We want something good to come out of his farewell. Has this shaken you?” Hospedales asked. He added that vengeance was the Lord’s as he called on the congregation not to retaliate.
Enraged residents of St Barb’s, Laventille, where Wellington lived, threatened the police last week Thursday, saying they ought to be shot and killed. “We would do for them”; “we have to deal with them” and “we would shoot them,” were some of the threats made to the police. One man, with a straight face, clarified any misconceptions about what the residents meant when he said police would themselves be killed.
Also speaking at the funeral service yesterday was Wellington’s cousin Alicia Joseph, who said Wellington had a heart as big as Laventille.
What happened
According to police, around 10.15 pm last week Wednesday, members of the Inter Agency Task Force, led by PC Walker, were on mobile patrol near the Laventille Technology Centre when they saw two men who opened fire on them. The police fired back and the two men ran away and escaped. About three hours later, police were called to the St Barb’s area near Second Hamlet Trace.
When they arrived, they said, Wellington and another man shot at them. The police fired back, hitting Wellington, who died at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.
