Executed for killing gang pal

NOEL Roker may have been executed by members of his own gang after he accidentally shot and killed a friend and fellow gang member the night before.

Roker, 24, who was murdered by a masked gunman outside his cousin’s Dorsett Alley home on Monday, mistakenly shot Akio Françoise Burrows, 20, during a brawl outside Club Luna early Sunday morning, police believe.

Roker and Burrows are thought to have been on the same side of the fight, but it seems after a stray bullet fired by Roker hit his associate, other members of their gang decided to take revenge.

“That is just how gangs operate,” Central Detective Unit head Supt Paul Rolle said. “They are lawless, and not interested in following the path of law-abiding citizens.”

Police sources say Burrows had a “long rap sheet”. He was accused of murder, a number of shootings, drug possession, gun possession and housebreaking.

Roker was also well known to police. In 2008, he was charged in connection with three armed robberies.

Supt Rolle said his murder may not be the final consequence of the Luna brawl, in which several others were seriously injured, including a 17-year-old girl who had to have spinal surgery.

He said there is a possibility the confrontation – believed to have been between members of at least two gangs – could lead to a “gang war”.

“That is always a possibility and certainly a cause for concern,” he said.

Supt Rolle said most of the people injured in the shooting were innocent bystanders, and advised anyone caught in a similar situation not to run unless they have a clear path to safety, but instead take cover.

He said: “If you happen to be in a place where a fight breaks out, stay inside. Don’t try to speed off – they may think you are involved, turn on you and just attack you.”

Comments

carlh57 says...

The police officer, as well as news papers disregard for prudent public safety by stating "possibility of gang wars" gives fuel to the members of the gangs to do just that...start a gang war! Sometimes things go best "unsaid" or "un-printed"....having lived in Souther California, i know first hand that printed words can easily lead to disastrous physical actions...so watch what you say and print (have some responsibility paper!), as well as police. Your words may very likely come back to haunt you....

Posted 6 April 2012, 11:27 a.m. Suggest removal

suedo says...

I agree with the above comment. What I have not seen anywhere in the local papers are comments, reporting or editorials asking the question why was a 17 year old girl out at 3am?
The young girl that was shot was in fact 17 years old.....a couple of questions quickly come to mind.

1. Why was a HS student of 17yrs of age out at a club at 3am
2. Where are her parents?
3. She's 17, how did she get in the club?
4. Was she served alcohol
5. Have the authorities moved to question the owners of Club Luna as to how and why a 17yr old HS student was allowed to enter the club?
6. Have the relevant licensing authorities reviewed Club Luna's license in the wake of this

Just a few questions that pop to mind.

Its easy for us all to sit around feel anguish and fear etc...but we need to collectively tighten the screws on some of the slackness that is accepted as part of the Bahamian existence.

Posted 6 April 2012, 5:19 p.m. Suggest removal

Crystal242 says...

I'm wondering the same thing. A lot of these girls want to be women before there time. I think she graduated in 2011 though, but I could be wrong. These club owners could care less about id . it's all about making money for them. Branville needs to sit his butt down. He should be asking her what the hell she was doing out til 3 am. I'm in my 20's and never even thought of staying out that late.

Posted 10 April 2012, 9:23 a.m. Suggest removal

concernedcitizen says...

this is to all the people that scream to bring back hangings as a deterent to crime .we have the death penalty on the street , it is carried out much faster than the court ever could ..the fear of death does nothing to stop these souless monsters ..it is not a political problem ,do es anyone really think if the plp wins and does there urban renewall that hardend crimmals are going to wake up and say , oh no lets not kill and steal and terrorize theres urban renewall ,,this is a morals and upbringing problem and we as a people are lacking in both ..it is our daughters and sons killing and maming and robbing ..

Posted 7 April 2012, 3:05 p.m. Suggest removal

molly says...

This is a very stupid theory. Have any guns been recovered? Did the gang do its own ballistic testing? Think before you print everything you hear. And by the way, your theory is dead wrong.

Posted 8 April 2012, 1:26 p.m. Suggest removal

molly says...

Apostle, perhaps you flunked reading comprehension. My question about whether any guns were recovered was in relation to the murder scene at Club Luna. If no firearms were recovered and no ballistic testing done, who can say who fired the fatal shot. But, of course, that makes too much sense for someone who speaks about what he/she does not know.

Posted 10 April 2012, 4:29 p.m. Suggest removal

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