BASSETERRE, S. Kitts - A “senseless”, “heartless” and “ridiculous” hoax - which suggested that a murder had taken place today (July 13) sent media representatives and members of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force searching a portion of the eastern corridor of the island.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Stafford Liburd told SKNVibes that the police received reports of an “alleged homicide or wounding somewhere in the Cayon area” while members of the media received information suggesting that the fabricated incident took place in vicinity of CONTEC DT.
A graphic picture of a apparently lifeless man with a blood-soaked pants and blood apparently coming from his body was also circulated.
This media house also received information suggesting that the deceased is the brother of popular local artiste Infamus. But thankfully, investigations suggest that he is alive and well.
The DCP said in order to verify the information, several police officers were dispatched to make investigations into the claim.
“Just this call today resulted in the police deploying several officers to investigate the matter and several hours were spent seeking to verify what we term a very serious report.
“We responded but we were unable to prove and verify any such report. We also expanded to check all our police stations in the two districts in St. Kitts and the Nevis District and we have not received - for today - any report of any homicide.
“...This led to everyone of us in the police High Command and several other police officers being engaged for several hours trying to verify the information... At the moment, the information appears to be false, or a hoax made by someone which is certainly unacceptable especially at a time like this.”
While he indicated that he is happy that no life was lost, he said the insensitive nature of the act of issuing such false information is “traumatic even for friends and family members of the alleged victim”.
Some members of the public have described this issuance of falsified information as nothing short of “ridiculous”, “heartless” and “senseless”.
