Cop charged with murder in ‘Outrageous Red’ fete shooting

Director of Public Prosecu-tions, Geoffrey Henderson, yesterday instructed the police to lay a charge of murder against police constable Dave Burnett of the Four Roads CID, for the death of Cunupia teenager, Kevin Cato. The DPP also instructed that the detective be charged with wounding Ryan Solomon to do grievous bodily harm. The instructions came just after 3.10 pm yesterday, and late yesterday, the 30-year-old constable of St Barb’s Road, Belmont, was charged with the two offences. The charges were laid by Supt Errol Denoon of the Port-of-Spain CID and the constable will appear before a Port-of-Spain magistrate today. Cato was shot dead at the “Outrageous in Red” fete held at Pier 1 early last Sunday. His friend, Ryan Solomon, was also shot in the chest, but survived. Cato will be buried today following a funeral service at his Chin Chin Road, Cunupia home and his body will be interred at the Hassarath Public Cemetery.

Yesterday, relatives of Cato expressed relief that the DPP instructed the police to lay the charges against the constable. They said that they were also relieved that the investigator, Supt Errol Denoon, carried out a thorough investigation into the matter. On Monday evening, the constable surrendered to officers of the Four Roads Police Station, and was interviewed by Supt Denoon. Sources revealed that the constable did not give a statement to investigators, but was taken to the Port-of-Spain CID where he was detained. The constable, who has five years service, spent most of yesterday at the Port-of-Spain CID. Promoter of the fete, Hott 93 FM, in a release issued yesterday, stated that the company was saddened by the tragic incident which occurred at Pier 1 on Sunday. The radio station extended its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Cato, and said it was praying for the speedy recovery of Ryan Solomon. “We are calling on everyone in our community to come together this Carnival, in the spirit of peace and respect for our fellow human beings, to ensure that this important festival can be enjoyed safely by all,” Hott 93 said.