March 11, 2009 — One man is dead and another in serious but stable condition after shootings Wednesday morning in Kirwan Terrace, located across from Alliance Aviation at the airport, according to police.
The shootings came less than 12 hours after police responded to two non-fatal shootings in Estate Contant around 11 p.m. Tuesday. Police are still trying to determine whether the two incidents are related, District Police Chief Rodney Querrard Sr. said in a press conference.
Police responded to 911 calls of repeated gunfire received around 9:15 a.m. Wednesday. Upon arrival, Kahlif Leader, 16, was pronounced dead and Kareem Charlewell, 20, was taken to Schneider Regional Medical Center for treatment of multiple gunshot wounds, Querrad said.
Information was received on the possible suspect’s vehicle and officers cordoned off the area within minutes of the call, according to police reports. Officers shortly thereafter received information that the suspect’s vehicle was seen in the area of Santa Maria. The car was found abandoned and determined to be stolen.
"We know there were people who witnessed this incident," Querrard said. "As of now we have not received any calls with any information as to who the suspects might be in this matter. We need the community’s effort or these shootings will continue. The turf battles that are going on will continue. Again, without the assistance of our community, we will unfortunately be burying a lot more of our young people. The community needs to step forward and they have to say ‘enough is enough.’"
As of 9 p.m. Wednesday, Charlewell was in the intensive care unit at Schneider Regional Medical Center after sustaining a clean wound through the shoulder that didn’t require surgery and a "serious" abdominal wound that did, according to Sam Topp, Schneider Regional Medical Center spokesman.
Police urge anyone with information about this crime to call:
— Major crime Unit: 715-5545, 715-5546;
— Major Crime Unit Supervisor Sergeant Lionel Bess: 642-8449;
— Police Chief Rodney Querrard Sr.’s office: 715-5548; or
— The Crime Stoppers tip line: 1-800-222-8477.
