Relatives of the 18-year-old who was shot and killed by police at London Road, Brittons Hill, St Michael, on Tuesday, are crying foul. In fact, they have already sought legal advice and are planning to sue the cops.
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Eighteen-year-old Kadeem Ifill was shot and killed by police yesterday just metres away from his home .[/caption]
Kadeem Ifill’s immediate family confirmed the pending action against the Royal Barbados Police Force in an interview, hours after the death of their loved one, who police claimed was one of two males who attacked them as they responded to a report that there were two armed men at the location.
This morning, members of the London Road community, and the deceased’s friends, gathered in the area, reflecting on the loss of one of the younger members of the community.
Still reeling from the pain of the loss, the teenager’s grieving relatives expressed anger and outrage over what they described as an unfair killing.
His aunt Michelle Ifill said that while she would not seek to assure Barbadians that her nephew was “a saint or a good boy”, she believed his death was unjustified.
“We the family know for sure, Kadeem ain’t had nothing. We know Kadeem did nothing but get scared and attempt to flee. That was his only mistake and unfortunately it was fatal. Police ain’t had no right to do it, and they know it too,” Michelle said.
A statement from the Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Rodney Inniss, indicated that lawmen responded to reports that two men with guns were at London Road. According to the statement, two police units responded and upon arrival at the scene, they came under attack from two individuals with what appeared to be firearms.
“As a result the police responded. One man fell to the ground, and one loaded firearm was recovered,” Inniss said.
However, Michelle who described some of what was reported by police as a “smear campaign”, said she was standing firm to her belief that her nephew, whom she claimed had no criminal record, was innocent.
“The police has in essence, launched a smear campaign on an 18-year-old who we know is innocent. Just come and let the family know that it was a grave error by one of your own, and deal with the one of your own who made the grave error.
“Do not try to subject the family to further shame and scandal, like if we don’t know how to train up we children,” Michelle said.
The aunt also stressed that the family was displeased with the way they were treated at the scene.
Ifill’s mother, Angela Ifill, who was being comforted by loved ones, lamented that she was still in disbelief that the last of her four sons was “gone”.
The mother said she had the best ever relationship with her son who was unemployed, but did odd jobs for family members.
“Out of all the boys Kadeem was the closest to me. I cannot say he was an angel. I am not the type of mother to say ‘not my child’, because in these times, on the streets, anything goes.
“But to me, he was the best out of the lot. When I say the best I mean he was closer to me than the rest. Kadeem would call me every day at lunchtime to see if I good,” the mother said.
Ifill said she would forever remember that phone call she received, when the other person on the line told her to hurry and get home because something had happened to her child.
The relatives also argued that they found it hard to believe that Ifill, who was still recovering from an injury, was able to run from the police.
One of Ifill’s friends said she was already missing the teenager who she said was a “nice, loving” boy.
“We went to St George Secondary together and he was humble and peaceful. He wasn’t a troublemaker at school. He don’t get in nobody way.
“He just used to smile. If his mother quarreling he would just smile. He was a peaceful boy. He used to do he own thing, and talk to he friends. He was irie. This death break down a lot of people. It is hurtful.
The friend said she saw Ifill about 30 minutes before he died, close to the area where the incident took place.
About seven hours before the incident, a group of pastors gathered at Restoration Ministries Church, just a stone’s throw away from where Ifill died, to announce plans for an upcoming weekend of prayer.
The pastors, including David Durant, who is known throughout the Brittons Hill community, called for an end to gun violence.
“We are appealing to the youths to please, please put down the guns and desist from the violent activities. Also to the drug lords who are mobilising our youths, please reconsider the destructive paths being created and the fear in communities that this is causing.
“And to the importers of illegal guns, recognize that every person murdered or robbery committed with these weapons, you had a part to play in that lawless violent activity. Let’s bring a halt to this downward slide,” Durant said.
Pastor Durant visited Ifill’s relatives this afternoon where he offered them words of comfort.
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