24 hours after he was released from jail 17 year old David Burgess was shot in the face and tonight he is dead. Burgess was released from jail on Friday after an aggravated assault case against him was thrown out because none of the complainants showed up. But Burgess didn’t get to enjoy his freedom because on Saturday at mid-day in the Yabra area, he was shot once in the forehead. He was taken to the hospital on Saturday afternoon and put on life support. He was taken off that life support this morning and died at about 11 am. Police have a suspect detained and say the motive was an inter-group rivalry or a gang warring within itself. For his grieving mother Carlet Belisle that’s neither her nor there, she just wants justice.
Carlet Belisle, Mother of Deceased
”I saw my son the same Saturday when I was washing and my sister in law came and told me he was shot. I didn’t know it was so bad. When we reached I see the doctor was sucking out blood from in here for him. I looked at him and he couldn’t help himself and I couldn’t help him.”
Crispin Jeffries, Assistant Commissioner of Police
“We have detained two persons and they are being questioned at this time.”
Sr. Supt. David Henderson, Commander – Eastern Division
“We have evidence but I will not get into the detail of it but I do
know that the incident was from a group in the Yabra area and all the persons involved are all friends.”
Carlet Belisle,
“To whosoever shot him, God noh di sleep. They already have somebody who they said shoot him and he admitted to it but then that won’t bring back my son. My son is dead already.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Did your son ever mention if someone was after him, his life was being threatened?
Carlet Belisle,
“Long time ago he had a beef with a guy but I don’t think it is him. I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what to say. The guy who shot him said it was an accident but in his forehead, I don’t see how it was an accident. That could never be an accident. All I want is some justice. That is all I want because my son’s life won’t go down the drain just like that. That is my oldest child and that is my biggest son they just tek away from me right so. I just want him to watch me in the face and tell me why he killed my son. If you are playing with a gun and the gun went off, I would expect my son to get shot in the hand or somewhere else but not in the forehead. You can’t come tell me my son got shot in the forehead and it is a mistake, I can’t buy that. No parents in their rightful mind would buy that because that noh right.”
Again police say they have suspects detained but no one has been formally charged. David Burgess had been remanded at the prison since April. His family believes his murder was retaliation.
