A day after the National Action Network held an anti-violence rally in Jersey City, members appeared before the Jersey City Council to protest the reopening of a store known among them as a battleground between rival street gangs.
Davonte Carswell, a 23-year-old Jersey City resident, was shot and pronounced dead at the Los Yoleros Mini-Mart Deli on Ocean Avenue last November, prompting city inspectors to close the store. Late last month, the store reopened under new management.
Donisha Carswell-Clarke, backed by more than a dozen supporters, gave an impassioned speech during the public portion of the council meeting last week, asking for the council’s help in keeping the store closed and help in apprehending the suspected killer, who is still at large.
“My son is dead while the killer is allowed to walk around free.” – Donisha Carswell-Clarke
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“We want it closed,” Oliver-Fair told the council. She alleged, “It is known for gang warfare.”
The original store owners were arrested after the shooting because they allegedly moved the victim’s body inside of the store.
Council President Rolando Lavaro said the city has limited power to close the store unless a local law has been broken. He said the council can have inspectors look into the operations of the store, but if the store meets all regulations, the city cannot order it closed.
“If it is a lawful business, we can do nothing about it,” said Councilman Michael Yun. “If there is an issue, we can send an inspector. If it is something illegal, then we can send the police.”
Councilman Frank Gajewski said the Mayor’s Task Force on Quality of Life, shut down the store in the first place, and suggested the city take another look.
The murderer is still at large
Carswell-Clarke charged that the authorities know who murdered her son.
“My son is dead while the killer is allowed to walk around free,” she said.
The suspect being sought was apparently released from prison early last year after serving a year and a half for aggravated assault. He was formally charged with murder on Dec. 3, but has yet to be apprehended.
“Yes, all lives matter,” Oliver-Fair told the City Council. “But black lives matter here, and there is a serious disregard for what is going on in the streets of Jersey City. We’re asking for the city to shut down the store and stand with the family.”
Carswell-Clarke said she had received a call from her son shortly before the shooting. He told her he was going to the store but would be right back.
“He told me he loved me. I told him I loved him, too,” she said. “That was the last I spoke with him.”
Then she got another call from him. He was screaming hysterically.
A short time later, two women came to her and said he had been shot.
After the 11 a.m. shooting, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s office said Carswell was pronounced dead at about 1 p.m.
“The owner and co-owner of the deli and one employee were arrested for [allegedly] tampering with physical evidence and possession of gambling records after police found an alleged gambling operation inside the business,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement. “The police believe the victim’s body was moved inside the location by deli personnel. The three arrested are not believed to be involved with the actual shooting. “
“People in the community went to the police with information,” Carswell-Clarke said. “I felt assured an arrest would take place. Now it’s four months later.”
She described her son as a peace maker, a father, brother, and dancer. He envisioned a career as a professional boxer.
“He was loving, caring and nurturing,” she said. “This was not just a lifeless body in a black body bag. This was a person. This was my son. He was my best friend. He was my first born. He was my baby.”
She said the murders continue in the city, a harsh reminder of her own loss. The victims are black men.
In fact, over the last few years, dozens of young men in their late teens or twenties have been shot to death in the city.
“This is an epidemic,” she said. “But in a matter of days it becomes ancient history.”
Tara Carswell, the victim’s cousin, said every time there is a new murder, it opens up the old wounds.
“This is not a conversation we should be having over the dinner table,” she said.
Councilwoman Joyce Watterman said she hears what is being said. But she noted that local police are no longer in charge of the investigation of the murder. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office oversees all murder investigations.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.