On last night's news we told you about the ruction on George Street when a vehicle with GSU officers inside was pelted with stones by George Street residents. The GSU came back and let off with multiple cartridges from a gun that fires rubber pellets. Three senior George Street figures were injured when that happened and police had to be deployed immediately to quell any unrest in a neighborhood that has a history violent flare ups with police. Here's what our cameras saw:...
Jules Vasquez reporting
Last night, police officers from the Mobile Interdiction Team stood - assault rifles on the ready - at the corner of George and Basra Street.
They were on very high alert because right at this corner about 20 minutes earlier - there had been a showdown between residents and GSU officers in a civilian vehicle - which ended in the GSU firing non-lethal rounds at residents.
But there was no unrest unleashed tonight. And while we heard some insults being thrown at the police by youths in the area
George Street was not turned up like it had been in the past - the neighborhood was quiet and calm. Micah Thompson showed us his injuries but asked to appear off camera:
Voice of: Micah Thompson, Shot with Rubber Bullets
"An unknown tinted vehicle pass, stopped and people were running all over think it was a gunman. When the vehicle brake and reverse, the youth them threw stones at the vehicle. After they threw stones on the vehicle, it went and came back with automatic gunfire. When we realize it was GSU officers. They came in here and shot my brother, then they shot me in my house. They came like gangsters and just shoot in an unknown vehicle which is not a police vehicle."
These are the rubber pellets on the floor of Thompson's home - And they are all over the yard as well. They came from this cartridge resulting in this wound. He says it was at such close range that they even burned his shirt.
Voice of: Micah Thompson, Shot with Rubber Bullets
"That was not necessary to deal with me. They don't have any rights to deal with that."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"So you ran in your house. I saw some of the pellets on the floor of your home."
Voice of: Micah Thompson, Shot with Rubber Bullets
"They shot me in my house, in my chair."
Same for Troy Tillett, the other shooting victim - he was injured to the neck, the side and the hand.
One more victim named Jervis was also injured to the back.
Lots of injuries - and while peace prevailed after a mediation session - that's not the end of it:
Voice of: Micah Thompson, Shot with Rubber Bullets
"I want justice. I am seeking justice."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Will you be suing the government or making a complaint? What's your next move?"
Voice of: Micah Thompson, Shot with Rubber Bullets
"I have to take it up with my lawyer."
AS you heard, an emergency mediation session was held with the three victims, their attorney, and the GSU. It was led by Deputy Commissioner Chester Williams. The GSU officers - who were in a private vehicle - agreed not to press charges - even though they had made a police complaint.
The George Street residents we spoke to say the private tinted vehicle has been seen in the area before - they claim it moves suspiciously, and they get jumpy because it's a gang neighborhood.
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