The family is not accepting that the shooting to death of 22-year-old Travis Parks is an accident, a close relative said yesterday even as the MMC security guard detained by the police was released on bail as investigations continue.
According to the relative, who asked not to be named, they visited the office of MMC Security Force yesterday and were told by an official that from the report given by the guards, the shooting was accidental. The relatives said that they were told that the guards were not trained to act in that manner and while the company did not “agree” with the action, from accounts given, it was an accident. MMC has declined to speak on the matter noting that the police are investigating.
“He (the official) din doubt that it is an accident but that is nah no accident man, he ain’t gat no reason foh shoot he”, the relative declared asking whether it was an “accident with people life”. He said that the family did not accept that the shooting was accidental.
Meantime, the guard detained by the police has been released on bail this newspaper was informed. Police also returned to Tiger Bay yesterday and took statements from several residents.
Parks, a mini-bus conductor was shot in his back on Sunday allegedly by a MMC Security Force guard after being asked about a gold chain, which he reportedly denied knowing anything about. According to residents after being pulled out of a bushy lot where he had gone to relieve himself and accused of stealing the gold chain, Parks was shot in the back as he was being led to the security firm’s vehicle. He was reportedly kicked and hit by the four guards, who were in brown and green uniforms before being shot.
Residents said the men then picked up the bullet casing and got in their vehicle and drove away despite pleas for them to assist. Parks was eventually transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital by another vehicle, where he succumbed while receiving treatment.
Tiger Bay residents have questioned how the guard could have shot Parks. Noting that after being asked about the chain, Parks had put up his hands up and said that he had no chain and pointing out too that he had been playing football and had no shirt on, they queried, “Why they had to shoot he?” Stabroek News has seen a photograph of Parks as he was being placed in the car to be taken to the hospital and he was bare-chested.
