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The Killing Of Two Raheems
posted (July 6, 2020)
Less than 24 hours later, another Raheem, 23-year-old Raheem Myles had also been shot and killed in a very similar scenario. Police believe the two murders are directly connected. Myles was hanging out with friends at the corner of Faber's Road and Waight streets when he was gunned down. This morning the Commissioner of Police provided an explanation for the connection between the killing of the two Raheem's, each gunned down in the other's neighborhood:

Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police
"The shooting of the other Raheem, Raheem Myles, from what we're seeing, is a retaliation for the death of Faber."

Cherisse Halsall Reporting
And while the matter is cut and dry for the Commissioner, Myle's father had yet to be brought up to speed when we met him this morning. even expressing sympathy for the killing that police say ultimately resulted in the murder of his own son.

Voice of: Kevin Myles, Father of the Deceased
"Well I wasn't around here but I am still trying to find the answer about what really happened with my son and I sympathize with the family of the young man whose name was Raheem Faber. I sympathize with the family. I didn't know the family but it was two young people who were innocent who were just at the wrong place at the wrong time."

That's a sentiment that the cops are in some agreement with admitting that Myle's son, Raheem Myles, seemed to have been on a path to redemption.

Supt. Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB
"We know that yes, he had a history with police, but for a long time, we know that he had already left that life, and he was committed to other things. And we have not had an encounter with him for less than a year."

That revelation makes the retaliation even more senseless, and incomprehensible.

His father never believed that he would find himself a grieving parent like the many he's seen on TV.

Kevin Myles, Father of the Deceased
"I watch news after news with people. Their mothers cry grief and I say to myself I don't know what those people are going through but right now at this time I know what they're going through because I haven't slept since Saturday night."

"I lost a son that I won't get back he was the only son I had I have three daughters so I have to be strong for my children but, you know, I feel empty inside of me due to my son that died. I just want everything to stop and I just want to bury my son."

"My son was a loving loving father, a loving brother and he was my son and I hmph, miss you know some people don't know what you're going through."

And while Kevin Myle's neighbors can't fully sympathize they are facing their own fears of further retaliation against the area.

Reporter
"There seems to be an intention of retaliation for Myles' shooting. We were at the residence a short while ago, and people who live in that yard are fearing for their lives because bad men are patrolling the area looking for an opportunity to maybe retaliate."

Supt. Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB
"Yes, we have that information, and hence the reason that we have a police presence in that area. They have mobile, motorcycle, and foot patrols [which] have increased in that area and other areas that we think something might happen."

An effort at peacekeeping that comes just a bit too late for either Raheem. And yet the hope is that boots on the ground can contain the tensions that have continued to simmer even through a pandemic.

A 20-year-old woman who was holding a small child was also shot in the incident. She has been treated and was today released from the KHMH.

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