Was he a target?

Whether it was to wound or kill the child of Byron Street, La Romaine, residents said they were unsure. However they believe the shooting incident may have stemmed from a dispute, some weeks ago, between a male relative and some men.

It was initially believed that Cyon, a pupil of the La Romaine RC School, was struck by a stray bullet while walking along the Southern Main Road, La Romaine.

Some residents claimed that a group of men were liming at the roadside where they were “playing with guns”, one of which accidentally went off. Another report suggested that a group of men spotted members from an opposing group, opened fire and one bullet struck Cyon. Yesterday Southern Division police threw out the theory that the child was hit by a stray bullet and told Newsday the boy was shot four times, twice in the chest and twice to his shoulders.

Even family members yesterday had opposing views on the theories which are circulating in the La Romaine area. Cyon’s bereaved grandmother, Jenny Charles, 48, admitted to having heard all the rumours and believes it was deliberate.

“Something is smelling fishy based on what people are saying now. Look at the timing and how it happen. As they saw him, they put it on him. That was not no accident, based on the rumours we are are hearing. Some say people in a car opened fire but no car was passing when it happened. That is not true,” Charles said.

Reports are at about 8.30 pm on Friday, Cyon left home with his 13-year-old cousin to purchase hot dogs from a businessplace at the nearby Potato Trace. Upon reaching a service station along the Southern Main Road, several gunshots rang out. Cyon and the relative turned around and started to run but Cyon collapsed in the driveway of a businessplace.

Cyon’s mother, Safiya Williams, 27, a mother of two, remained inconsolable and relatives said she has been crying since the shooting.

A male relative yesterday said he believed that Cyon was not the intended target of the gunmen. Instead he labelled the killers as “trigger happy people”.

He explained: “I don’t think that bullet was meant for Cyon. I feel them fellas (gunmen) were testing out the gun which went off while playing with it. While the police parked up at Charles Street, two opposing groups of people hustling (engaged in illegal activities) out there. It could have been more than one gun.” Newsday learnt that police have since obtained CCTV footage from businesses to ascertain how the incident occurred. An autopsy is expected to be performed today at the Forensic Sciences Centre, St James.