Viewers will certainly recall Marquis Mahler, the 8 year old who was shot on killed in July of last year when gunmen went to fire shots at his yard on Faber's Road.
The truth of the story is that the child was a casualty of a bigger war - and the place he called home has been and continues to be a hot area targeted by some criminal elements and also by police.
And this afternoon around 3:00, police went to their residence where they began searching for drugs and ammunition.
The search led to a series of conflicts and counter-actions and Monica Bodden witnessed most of them.
Here's her story:
Fiona
"Everybody was just hanging in the yard when the police - the two truck just drove in the yard about 3pm and they started to search the yard and two of the houses. They say that have warrant for guns and ammunition and drugs but they didnt find anything in any of the houses and the yard. They took two gentleman from out of the yard."
Monica Bodden Reporting
The search took place at number 40 Faber's Road - Sound familiar?
Well that was the same yard where 8 year old Marquis Mahler was gunned down in July of last year.
The family who has been through much grief - say they are constantly targeted by police - And today told us that was made clear only hours ago when police arrested Theodore Mahler (father of Marquis) and a man known only to us as Lincoln - for no apparent reason - At least none was explained to them.
Fiona
"When we ask Theodore what was the reason - he said that he doesn't know. One of the police just shows me a warrant for guns and ammunition and that was it. They went upstairs in the house with Theodore but they didn't find anything in there and they didn't find anything anywhere else."
Monica Bodden
"From what you guys understand - they were looking for someone in this yard in regards to a shooting that occurred last week?"
Fiona
"Yes, they said that they were looking for Mark Usher Jr., but he is not here, he is out of the country from Sunday morning. From 5 o' clock he has left the country, he and several of his family members."
Monica Bodden
"Looking for him in connection to what shooting?"
Fiona
"Some shooting with Charles Woodye. I am not sure of his name."
With maximum force and minimum explanation they were only told that they are looking for guns and ammunition along with drugs.
The officers then expanded the search across the street to the home of Mark Luis and his girlfriend Fiona. At the time Luis was inside reportedly sleeping - when the door of his one story concrete house was kicked down.
Monica Bodden
"After they completed this yard they actually went across the street. That's where your uncle lives?"
Fiona
"Yes, he lives there with his girlfriend and her two kids and I guess he was sleeping. They (police) says they were knocking on the door, but they were kicking and stomping and until finally they broke down the front door. They were all around the house cranking up guns and thing and they were pushing their hands through the windows. One of the back windows - they point the gun inside the house and they tried to bend one of the louvers. After that they eventually just kick down the front door."
Fully armed police officers along with the GSU - all with big guns - raided the entire premises for almost an hour.
Meanwhile Mahler and Lincoln lay in the pan of this police pick-up truck under cuffs and heavily guarded.
And while we were recording that footage - we were asked to turn off our camera by this one officer.
A Few minutes later the girlfriend of Mark Luis arrived along with her ex mother-in-law and her daughter.
They were asked to wait outside. Fiona -owner of the house was later allowed to enter.
But it only took a matter of minutes for chaos to transpire…
As we ran across the street with our cameras.
According to Finona's ex mother-in-law, she was struck in the face by a female police officer.
Ex Mother-in-law
"One of the GSU man is talking to me explaining what happen when she (female officer) is looking to punch me in my face. So I tell her no. The officer wanted to arrest me."
Monica Bodden
"What is happening here?"
Ex Mother-in-law
"My granddaughter mother called me and she says that she have to leave because somebody call her and tell her the GSU is in her house and so I told her that I would bring her to her home because we know that we have our little grandson that was left here but then while the police officer was explaining to me why they broke down the door the female officer came and she punch me in my face. I push her back and she says that she will charge me and then my daughter-in-law tell her no - that she cannot knock my mother-in-law like that. She told her that I only came for my grandchildren. But these GSU officers are chancy. Whatever goes on in here - they don't have any sense at all."
It was a terrifying experience - especially for this one little girl who had to be consoled.
Monica Bodden
"This episode played out for almost two hours. From what you witness, would you consider this gross police behavior?"
Ex Mother-in-law
"Yes."
The search ended at 5 o'clock this evening. The couple - Mark Luis and his girlfriend was taken away to the Queen Street police station after police claimed to have found a bullet in one of their little daughter's handbag.
Monica Bodden
"You guys understand that your uncle and his wife was taken away."
Ex Mother-in-law
"For a so called bullet they found in the young lady daughter's bag. All the time they were there they didn't find anything until the owner of the house came home with her daughter. All of a sudden they found a bullet after the altercation that they have had there."
When the search ended, four people had been taken away - two of them for the one bullet which was found.
|