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Alleged gangster and mom killed in Hanover

Published:Thursday | August 16, 2018 | 12:00 AMHopeton Bucknor/ Gleaner Writer
Uton 'Bigga' Cocket

Western Bureau:

Uton 'Bigga' Cocket, who the police say was the leader of the much-feared Hanover-based One Voice gang, and his mother, Carlene Graver, were murdered on Wednesday at their Elgin Town home in the western parish in what is believed to be a gang-related murder.

The 26-year-old Cocket has been on the police's radar since the death of his uncle, Valdemier 'Wingy' Chambers, who is believed to be the first leader of the One Voice gang. Cocket was on a court-ordered curfew at the time of his death. His 40-year-old mother was a renowned member of the community.

"He (Cocket) was involved in gang-related activities and was locked up earlier this year. There are some matters for which he was still before the court," said Deputy Superintendent of Police Conroy Cummings, the operations officer for the Hanover police. "He was placed on a court-mandated curfew that required that he should be off the roads at nights."

According to reports, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Cocket, his mother, and another person were watching cricket on television at home when several heavily armed men entered the premises and opened fire on them inside their one-room board house. Cocket and his mother were killed, and the third person was seriously injured.

Cocket's grandmother, Autherine Rodney-Reid, who rushed to her daughter's house after the shooting had subsided, said that she first saw her grandson's body near the front of the house, and when she went further inside, she saw her daughter's body.

According to residents of the community, the shooting lasted for close to 10 minutes, and it became clear to them that nobody would have survived such an onslaught.

"A di nuffest gunshots me ever hear one time," said a resident. "Dem deal with dem really wicked. A over 50 spent shells we count inna de house."

During The Gleaner team's visit to the community, there was a strong police presence. "We are maintaining a strong presence in the community as we are seeking to prevent any acts of reprisals," said Cummings.