November 23rd, 2015 -- Although there was a low turn out at a march organized by Philo’s family held on Friday Oct. 20, 2015, at 4.00 p.m those present sent a strong message to authorities.
Seventeen year old Elric Philo Wallace, described as an outstanding cricketer was allegedly murdered in cold blood at a Nevis bar by a police officer on October 17, 2015 at around 3.45 a.m. He was allegedly shot in the chest.
The march commenced at Lime(Flow) office near Scotia Bank and ended at the Elquemedo Willet Park which is near the bar where Philo met his gruesome death. Participants chanted “Justice for Philo”all along the march route and stopped for an hour outside the bar where
Philo met his death.
Family members, friends and NGOs representatives expressed their concerns.
“Nobody hearing nothing. We have to do this to remind them. We will march everyday if necessary. If you kill somebody, you are supposed to be charged.
-Mr Wallace, Philo father
“I think it is a long time since my nephew died and we are not getting any response and we want to know what is going on. We decided to do a march so that we can send a message to the police so they can speed justice.”
-Hycianth Forbes,Philo aunt
“We are calling for the disarmament of police officers on the streets of Nevis. We do not need any guns on Nevis. We did not elect anyone or give anyone authority to arm police officer. These police officers do not come from out stock.”
-Karim ahmed, member Community Cohesion Foundation
“The investigation of the shooting should have been carried out by an independent investigator. The police should have nothing to do with it. Philo is like family to me so I am a little biased but the bottom line is that a young man who was unarmed was shot by police. Police are supposed to uphold the highest standard in the land – even higher than the army. They are supposed to be held in the highest standard when it comes to discharging firearms especially when they are not threatened.”
- Elton Marcus Hull
“I hope we get justice for Philo. This is a young person who has just captured his groly and he had just gone like that. Nevisians we should not sit down and let this pass by. It can happen to any one of us.”
- Idella Newton
“It is important for us to seek justice for everybody who has been murdered or victimized in this country. I am marching for justice for every facet in this country.
- Eugene Weekes, Hamilton resident
“It is important to keep pressure on the police to do the right thing, to act in a more professional manner to ensure justice for Philo.”
- Ruth Powell, member Save SKN Group
The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has asked the Director of Public Prosecution to advise them on the direction to take in regard to two shootings where police officers are implicated.
In one shooting, a Security Guard, Steadroy Sutton was allegedly shot while on duty by a police officer. In this shooting, the Acting DPP, Arudranauth Gossai, came personally to the Magistrate’s court, Nevis, last week Tuesday and dismissed charges where police had accused Sutton of beating the police officer.
Concerning Philo’s shooting, the DPP has ordered a Coroner’s Inquest.
For further information, call cell 7633963 or 6613758 or 6651895
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