BULLET LODGED IN CATO’S CHEST

Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson will be consulted today in the matter involving the death of Cunupia teenager Kevin Cato, who was shot dead at the “Outrageous in Red” fete at Pier 1, Chaguaramas, early last Sunday.

The chief investigator in the matter, Supt Errol Denoon, recorded several statements between Sunday and yesterday, and also secured a statement from Ryan Solomon, the 23-year-old Airports Authority security guard who was also shot by the police detective early Sunday. An autopsy carried out at the Forensic Science Centre by Dr Eastlyn Borris revealed that death was due to shock and haemorrhage consistent with a gunshot injury to the left side of the chest. The bullet remained lodged in Cato’s chest.

The police constable who shot Cato dead and seriously wounded Ryan Solomon, insisted yesterday that he was traumatised over the death and needed time to make himself available to investigators. Senior officers of the Western Division confirmed yesterday that they made contact with the constable, and he was expected to surrender to investigators last night. At ward 24 of the Port-of-Spain General Hospital, John Solomon and relatives gathered around Ryan Solomon’s bedside.

A heavily sedated Ryan was unable to be interviewed but a brown teddy bear was placed on the bed by a well-wisher. A distraught Solomon demanded justice over the death of Cato and the shooting of his son. He said that police officers are trained to deal with certain situations, and the detective used extra force by killing Cato, and then shooting his son Ryan. He pointed out that he will not rest until the investigation is carried out in a fair manner. Solomon revealed that on Sunday, his son was visited by police officers who informed him of Cato’s death. “My son cried and expressed shock over the death,” said Solomon. He said that the incident has left him in shock because he still cannot come to terms with the death of Cato and the shooting of Ryan.

Police investigators told Newsday that Ryan managed to give a statement on Sunday which could prove to be the most useful in the investigation. Ryan revealed that he was dancing at the fete when he accidentally bounced a man. He said that the man slapped him twice and he slapped the man. Ryan said that he was not aware that the man who he slapped was a police officer. In his statement, he pointed out that when Cato came to his assistance the constable pulled out a gun and shot Cato once in the left side of the chest. He then fired another shot, striking Ryan in the chest.

Patrons of the fete rushed to the assistance of the two injured men and placed them in the tray of an open van. They were rushed to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where Cato was pronounced dead on arrival, and Solomon was warded. Promoters of the fete expressed regret over the incident. Newsday learnt that 35 police officers were posted at the fete to maintain law and order. A Government minister said yesterday he was appalled over the incident and called on the police to speed up the investigation.