BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE Hilroy Brandy yesterday (Apr. 20) announced that charges would soon be preferred against three persons who are currently in custody for the two shooting incidents that occurred over the last weekend on Nevis.
Brandy was at the time responding to a question from a media representative during the Prime Minister monthly press conference.
“Concerning the recent incidents in Nevis, I wish to give the good news that my officers were able to apprehend the culprits involved in these two recent incidents. By later this evening or tomorrow morning, the latest, all three persons will be formally charged and taken before the court.”
He also informed that one of the shooting victims, Kishanda Clarke, was successfully treated for his injuries and was discharged yesterday from the Alexandra Hospital.
“At this time,” DCP Brandy said, “I would like to thank my officers over in Nevis for their hard work and going beyond their time of duty to apprehend these three persons.”
The officers on Nevis also received commendation from Premier Vance Amory who was also at the conference.
“I want to commend the police in Nevis and the High Command for giving the direction which has been given so as to reach the point where we are now today after that weekend.”
He said last weekend’s incidents were not the first experienced by citizens and residents of Nevis, but there is hope that criminal activities would be significantly reduced on the island.
“It’s the second weekend of tragedy we have had and I feel that the police ought to be commended. I think that the strategies which are being used are working. And with the increased initiatives which were announced by the Prime Minister and the increase use of technology, I feel we will see a much and greater intensity in dealing with criminal activity which I think will reduce such activity.”
Premier Amory however believes that the recent strategies employed by the police should be more visible, which he claimed would produce a closer relationship between members of the public and the law enforcement agency.
He however claimed that unlike the situation experienced in the not too distant past, members of the public are now more responsive to the police.
“I want to say without any question of doubt that the people have begun to respond more positively to the police. I think that is why where we are today that the Commissioner can say that they have made swift arrests and will be doing their charges later today or tomorrow.”
The Premier disclosed that the police now better understand the reason for most of the violent crimes being perpetrated in the Federation, noting that retaliation and revenge are the major factors.
“I feel that we have some greater understanding of why things are happening. Clearly retaliation, clearly revenge, and we are just appealing to these young people not to get into the matter of revenge and retaliation. I think that the police are on track. They are dealing with it and we will see some reduction in criminal activity for this year.
The two weekend incidents resulted in the shooting-death of 20-year-old Vincey Ferlance of Bath Village and gunshot injuries to Clarke.
Ferlance was shot to the torso at about 3:00 a.m. on Saturday (Apr. 16) while on the dance floor at Lime Beach Bar on Pinney’s Beach. He reportedly died while being transported to the Alexandra Hospital.
Clarke, who is also known as Kishanda Wallace of Newtown, St. Kitts but was residing at Government Road in Charlestown, Nevis, was shot twice to the left shoulder and once to the left leg.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:00 p.m. on Sunday (Apr. 17) while he was walking along the Stuart Williams Drive when a car drove by and an individual or individuals from within opened fire in his direction.
Police on Nevis have since arrested two men; one in relation to Ferlance’s death and the other for shooting and injuring Clarke.
At the time of posting this article, no word was forthcoming from the police in relation to charges as announced by DCP Brandy.
