BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AN intense investigation by experienced sleuths of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force has led to the arrest and subsequent charge of two brothers for the alleged murder of 17-year-old Rakeim ‘Rackbo’ Hanley.
According to Police Press and Public Relations Officer Inspector Lyndon David, Souvin Adolfo Ritchen (27) and Trevon Travis Ritchen (22), both of Upper Durant Avenue, Basseterre, were charged today (Sept. 1) with Hanley’s murder.
David said that based on credible information, the brothers were taken into custody on Saturday (Aug. 29) and were assisting police with their investigation into the matter.
A release had stated that the Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibility for Crime, Ian Queeley, had said that officers of the Violent Crime Unit ought to be commended for the investigation into this case which led to the speedy arrest of the brothers charged.
He also took the opportunity to thank all who were instrumental in the entire process of the investigation for the valuable role they played.
In a previous release, Queeley had stated that “the fight against crime will take community involvement and the Police Force would like to thank those who provided information with regards to this investigation so far”.
“If you have seen something, if you have heard something as it relates to this or any violent crime, or any criminal activity, tell someone. Call the Violent Crimes Unit at the Basseterre or Charlestown Police Stations or any police station with your information,” he added.
This publication was told that at about 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday (Aug. 25), Hanley was shot while riding a bicycle along Fort Thomas Road and died several hours after at the JNF Hospital.
According to one McKnight resident, he had just returned home at about 9:00 p.m. when he heard the sound of gunfire coming from the direction of Fort Thomas Road.
“I was about to take a bath when I heard a sound resembling that of a gun being fired. It was not loud and I dismissed the thought. However, shortly after the first one, I heard about fire more and I realised that it had to be someone firing a gun,” the resident said.
He told this publication that his fears were confirmed a few minutes later after hearing the wailing sound of an ambulance.
“After hearing the sound of the ambulance, I hurriedly dressed and got out of my home. But by the time I reached where a crowd had gathered, I learned that a youth was shot and the ambulance was rushing him to the hospital.”
Recounting what he learnt, the resident said that while the young man was riding a bicycle along Fort Thomas Road, he was shot in the vicinity of the steps that lead to the Bay Road in Irish Town.
“I was told that he received the first shot while riding on Fort Thomas Road. I think they say that the bullet grazed his head and he jumped off the bicycle. He tried to run away from his attacker in the direction of the steps, but he was shot again and he fell down on the road.”
The resident further said he was told that the perpetrator then went over the fallen victim and fired more shots into his body.
SKNVibes learnt that Hanley was shot four times, including once to the head.
Hanley, who was said to be residing in McKnight but originally hailed from Market Street, was taken to the hospital where he died several hours after in the Intensive Care Unit.
Rakeim ‘Rackbo’ Hanley’s death had taken to 19 the amount of homicides committed in the Federation for the year; six on Nevis and 13 on St. Kitts.
