Relative: Coast Guardsman’s death not accidental

RELATIVES of Ordinary Seaman (OS) Stephen Hodge say they are not treating his shooting death as an accident. A family source told Newsday information the family received confirmed that Hodge, 20, was shot over a cellphone he recently got from his father, retired Chief Petty Officer Stephen Hodge Sr. “From our investigations, another OS confronted Hodge over the cellphone which he (the other OS) claimed was stolen from him. An argument developed, family sources said, and Hodge was shot in his head. “As far as we are concerned the Coast Guard hierarchy is attempting to cover up this crime,” claimed the relative, who spoke to Newsday on the basis of anonymity.

Hodge, was shot dead on Friday night in a dormitory at Coast Guard Headquarters in Staubles Bay, Chaguaramas. Investigators told Newsday that while a cell-phone was part of the argument, the shooting was not related to it. They did confirm that Hodge was sitting on a bed when an argument began and he was shot. Investigators refused to say what the argument was over. “Based on autopsy results today we will know our next move,” an investigator said. Military personnel who are questioning how the gun went off are sticking to their guns that it was a case of procedures not being followed. A 19-year-old OS is currently assisting police in their investigations. Inspector George Ollivere of the Carenage Police Station is investigating.