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Community Responds to the Death of 4-Year-Old

Sept. 29, 2004 — The violent death of a 4-year-old at the Michael J. Kirwan Terrace housing community Monday has brought everything from calls for a shake up at the police department to hopes that this is what will "wake up" the community to how pervasive violence has become here.
Leon Bowery died of multiple gunshot wounds, after an unidentified gunman opened fire at the car in which he sat. Bowery's 7-year-old brother and a 26-year-old man, who were also in the car, were shot as well. The boy's mother was not injured during the incident.
(See "Four-Year-Old Killed in a Spray of Gunfire").
Senators and individuals in the community are calling for action to be taken to reduce the escalation in violent crimes in the community.
During the opening ceremony of the Senate session Wednesday, senators observed a moment of silence for Bowery, who is the grandson of Una Sutton, the Legislature's assistant executive director.
Senators took turns offering condolences to the boy's family.
In a news release issued Tuesday, Sen. Roosevelt David condemned the death of the young boy and the wounding of his brother.
"Once again I am calling for outside law enforcement assistance," David said. "I am now calling for the governor to declare a state of emergency so that we can take back our streets."
David said instead of focusing on its image, the V.I. police department should beef up its presence in the areas where criminally activity is rampant.
"I do not care about image," David said. "I care about solving crimes, putting criminals behind bars and making our streets safe for the people of the Virgin Islands."
David called for a complete investigation of the relationship between Police Commissioner Elton Lewis and his police officers.
"Morale continues to be at an all time low. Our streets are vulnerable to the effects of criminal activity with the absence of police officers," David said, adding that if the commissioner does not have a handle on the department, it might be time to start looking for a new commissioner.
Sen. Lorraine Berry in a statement Tuesday called for community support to find the individual responsible for Bowery's death.
"This is the only real, meaningful and honest way that the general public can halt the senseless, wanton disregard for life increasingly exhibited by sadistic criminals who show no mercy to men, women and children," Berry said.
Berry said she has sponsored the Omnibus Justice Act of 2004 in hopes of eradicating acts like these. The bill was expected to be voted on by the Senate Wednesday.
Kidscope Director Dilsa Capdeville said Bowery's death was a tragedy.
"This is a great loss, not only to the child's family, but the community in general," Capdeville said. "This should move us all to what change we personally can bring, professionally and as a community."
Capdeville said she hopes the incident will be a "wake-up call" for the community.
"We need to make a conscious effort to change our community's response to violence," Capdeville said.
Iris Kern, director of The Safety Zone, said that violence has been tolerated in this community for far too long. Kern said insufficient prosecution and the unwillingness of witnesses to come forward have assisted in the rise in crime.
Of Bowery's death Kern said, "It is a hard thing to even talk about, but it is such a shock to this community. I think perhaps this incredible tragedy will push the community to believe that violence cannot be tolerated."
Mary Mingus of the St. Croix Women's Coalition said gun violence in the territory is out of control.
"What a senseless loss of a life," Mingus said of Bowery's death. "Our community has to come together and stand up against gun violence."
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