BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Sept. 03. 2018 – POLICE confirmed that the wanted man killed during Friday’s (Aug. 31) shootout with officers is indeed, Vincent Taylor and that it was the gun of Sergeant Leon Powell that was used in the incident.
The late Sergeant Powell, who owned and operated a bar in Newton Ground, was killed following an armed robbery on his premises by three assailants, after he put up a fight during the incident.
It was revealed on Saturday (Sept. 01) by the police high command that it was the force-issued gun belonging to the officer that was used in the incident that resulted in his death.
Commissioner of Police, Ian Queeley told reporters during a press conference that ballistics test carried out on the weapon recovered following the shootout in Sandy Point, points to the same weapon used in the Newton Ground incident.
Police did not indicate to the media during their first press conference that the officer was in possession of his service-issued weapon at the time of the incident, and that it was missing.
“I have been advised that, according to our records, the pistol used by Vincent Taylor to shoot and injure our officer was the department-issued firearm of our fallen colleague,” the top cop confirmed.
“It was also reported that he was relieved of his firearm by his attackers during the time of his death…the ballistics works carried out on the bullets and the shell casing found on the scenes has just been completed. The results indicate that is was his weapon that was used to kill him,”
Queeley, while giving an update of what led to the shootout, explained that officers acting on information swooped down on a location in Bouncing Hill, Sandy Point.
When officers arrived, they cordoned off the location within which there were several premises. In one of those buildings, they sought permission and was granted such to enter..
According to the top cop, while searching the premises Taylor was spotted and without hesitation he proceeded to open fire on the police officers. In the process, they returned fire, striking the wanted man several times about the body, while one officer was hit in the shoulder.
“Taylor at the time of his death was carrying also a black backpack which contained a mask, a pair of gloves, tie straps and a knife. They are currently in police custody, as we believe that they are of some evidential value,” added Queeley.
Though Taylor was killed, police confirmed that the investigations into Sergeant Powell’s death continues.
Meanwhile, police have disclosed that Taylor was connected to a robbery of the Chinese Supermarket. Investigations into that incident are continuing.
