“They won’t get away with this”, says family of man shot by police

“They won’t get away with this”, says family of man shot by police

“They won’t get away with this,” was the emotional stance the family of 20-year-old Deangelo Evans took against the police Monday, only 24-hours after he was gunned down by officers near his McCollough Corner home.

“We are mourning right now in the Masons [Addition] area,” said one resident who goes by the name ‘Westside’.

The man claimed he saw Evans as a young person who “was just getting his life together”.

The tight knit Centreville community showed Eyewitness News the green and white house where Evans lived with his grandmother. It was a few short blocks from where he was tragically killed.

According to family members, Evans was running an errand for his grandmother when the unthinkable happened.

“He was sent to the store,” the victim’s cousin Petra Rose said.

“He bought the wrong thing back, so his Grammy sent him back.

“… he pick up 18 (bullets).”

While family and neighbourhood residents claim that police officers shot Evans 18 times, the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) has been tight-lipped on an actual number, only admitting to the deceased being shot “multiple times”.

According to police reports, officers were responding to an armed robbery on Burial Ground Corner and East Street.

They then proceeded to Sandy Lane, off McCollough Corner, where police said they encountered Evans and another man, who they said met the description of the armed suspects.

Family members, however,  questioned where Evans could have possibly had a gun while wearing “basketball pants”.

Member of Parliament(MP) for the Centreville Reece Chipman also came to the aid of residents, demanding that law enforcement conduct a full investigation into the incident – one where both the family and community are actively involved.

“There are many cases in the United States (U.S.), where young men have been shot by officers,” Chipman said just outside Evan’s home.

“These shootings, in most cases, lead to full investigation and report by the Department of Justice. This is important for both sides.

“It helps the officer involved to bridge the gap between police and community relations.”

A candle light vigil for Evans will be held tonight on Masons Addition park.