Police file on Kelvin killing incomplete

The police file on investigations into the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Kelvin Fraser has been sent to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) but more work is still to be done.

Kelvin Fraser

Crime Chief Seelall Persaud confirmed yesterday that the file was sent to the PCA but said that the Force still has to receive the post-mortem report and interview the pathologist. It is not clear why there has been a delay in doing this. When contacted, PCA Chairman, former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Cecil Kennard refused to comment saying that he will not be giving Stabroek News any information because, according to him, this newspaper has not been publishing his press releases.

Yesterday, Sharon Fraser, the mother of the slain teen said that she was frustrated as the police have not said anything to her despite saying that they would. Her numerous tries to contact them to get an update in investigations have failed, she said. She expressed fear that the police may be trying to “cover up” the incident. It is not clear if the rank who shot Kelvin remains under arrest. Sharon said that she was just hoping and praying for justice. “He was my only son. My life”, she said.

On June 7, Kelvin, a fourth form student at the Patentia Secondary School, was fatally shot during what police said was a scuffle with a rank who was attempting to arrest him. However, a youth who was present at the scene has since said that Kelvin was complying with the order of the policeman, when he was shot at close range.

A post-mortem examination found that he died of shock and haemorrhage from laceration of the lungs caused by gunshot injuries. The teenager was shot in the left side of his chest at close range and several pellets were retrieved from his body. He was laid to rest on June 14.

The witness had told this newspaper that the police took their time transporting the injured schoolboy to the hospital. He had said that the police slapped him and the other youths who were held and had threatened to kill them.

Kelvin had left home after receiving a call at about 12:30 pm from his girlfriend. He did not wear his uniform. His girlfriend, Karen Hermonstine had told Stabroek News that they were in a classroom when they heard shouting. “Everybody just start screaming. He tell me he love me and he coming back.

He just going and see is wha”, she recalled. She said the ranks were hitting the others who were in civilian clothes and Fraser, since he was not in uniform, decided to run away.

The slain teen’s relatives, friends and other citizens have called for justice for him saying that the policeman who shot him should be charged.

Two protests were held at the Wales Police Station and in Georgetown to demand that justice be done.