Ryan Cole Targeted in Latest Lake-I Shooting

Ryan Cole

Gunfire erupted in Lake Independence once again on Sunday morning and when the smoke cleared, a twenty-six-year-old resident of Tibruce Street was fighting for his life after being shot multiple times.  Ryan Cole remains hospitalized at the K.H.M.H. in critical condition tonight and is preparing for an emergency surgery on Wednesday, as his liver has been completely damaged after being shot in the back.  Investigators were on the scene shortly after the incident and they chalked up the violent attack on Cole as an internal conflict within the gang he reportedly belongs to.  News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

An impudent attempt on the life of Ryan Cole, shot multiple times at home in front of his mother, is the latest round in a series of unrelenting shooting incidents in Lake Independence since November twenty-third.  On Sunday morning, the twenty-six-year-old was outside in his family yard when an unknown assailant entered the property.  Cole’s mother, who was inside the house, witnessed what happened next through her bedroom window.

Voice of: Carolyn Cole, Mother of Shooting Victim

“I got up off my bed [and] I went to the window where I saw my son walking up the stairs and a young man in a grey, dark tee shirt, dark skin person pulled out a handgun and pointed it.  I stood at my window and said, “Please don’t do that, don’t do that.  That’s my son, please don’t hurt him.”

The gunman couldn’t be bothered.  Instead, he kept his undivided attention on his quarry and proceeded to let loose a salvo of gunshots, each round find its mark on Cole’s body.

Hilberto Romero

Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero, Deputy Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch

“Police responded to the K.H.M.H. where they found Ryan Cole with multiple gunshot injuries to the body.  Investigation reveals that Ryan Cole was on Tibruce Street doing laundry when he was approached by a male person and they had a discussion.  Thereafter the male person pulled out a firearm and fired several shots towards his direction causing his injuries.  Ryan Cole is presently admitted to the K.H.M.H. in a critical condition at this time.”

During the armed assault, Cole was shot in both arms and the slug that penetrated his back has completely damaged his liver.

Voice of: Carolyn Cole

“His right hand is broken up, shattered bad.  The left hand is also damaged real bad.  The liver is shattered.  He is supposed to take a surgery, an emergency surgery on Wednesday.”

Isani Cayetano

“There has been a number of shootings in this general area for the past two weeks or so.  Could it be that perhaps your son may have been caught up with anyone of these two feuding groups as to why they would have targeted him in such manner?”

Voice of: Carolyn Cole

“Well with the groups, my son doesn’t hang out.  The people them, on the night of the shooting on Jasmine Street or whatever street, we were inside.  I told my son, “What is going on, is this a bad man and police shooting?”  He was inside, his two brothers came and asked, “Mom, where is Ryan?”  I told them, “He’s right here.”  Di people dehn weh di get shot and thing and he woulda be like, “Ma, I know he.  I know he…”  But I seh, “Da anybody weh you have anything with?”  Ih seh, “Ma, me and dehn bally da ya.  Ma, I noh do nobody nothing.”

But somebody wants him dead and the flagrant attempt at ending his life sends home that message.

Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero

“The investigation shows that it’s an internal matter within that area with persons that are feuding in that area.  We are seeking one person for that shooting at this time and we have not found him as yet.”

Duane Moody

“So it’s gang-related?”

Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero

“That is correct, yeah.”

Admittedly, Cole’s mother is aware of his past deeds, as well as the list of criminal charges that come along with having run afoul of the law.

Voice of: Carolyn Cole

“He use to hang out with some people that do negative stuff, yes.  I understand that.  At the time when all the negative stuff my son was in jail for.  Dehn mi have wahn drug charge weh dehn charge ahn fu marijuana and ih gaan and spend time.  Ih come out pan parole.  Ih gaan and ih do wahn incident whereby ih mi rob di drugstore pan Freetown.  Outta everyone that spent time for that, went to court, the case was finally thrown out.  Apart from that, his thing is work and home.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.