Police investigate Low Street shooting

CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – POLICE in Nevis are investigating an early Saturday morning (Aug. 15) shooting that occurred in Low Street, Charlestown. 

The shooting, which left several bullet holes in the residence of Marcella Westerman, took place around 1:45 a.m.

According to Westerman, she was asleep with her two grandsons when she was awoken by what she described as “a lot of shots”. She said she jumped and put the children to lie on the floor before running into the living where she saw her two daughters. Westerman also saw her two sons and some friends in the kitchen, and the younger of the two told her to call the police, which she did.

Westerman said the police arrived about 15 minutes after she called, collected the empty casings, asked a few questions and promised to return but never did. She said she was disappointed in the action of the police who should be showing more interest in the matter. 

Recounting the events that led to the shooting, Westerman told SKNVibes that her sons and their friends were on the road when they saw two men approaching. They thought it was the police and they went into the house. Shortly afterwards, many shots were fired. 

No one was injured but several bullet holes were clearly seen when this media house visited the scene. The obviously upset Westerman exclaimed: “God was on our side.” She revealed that the house was also shot at last year, a few months after one of her sons was shot dead.

Westerman is at a loss to understand why anybody would want to shoot at her house: “My boys don’t go anywhere. They are not part of any gangs. The police need to find the gang members.”

A police officer close to the investigation refuted Westerman’s claims that no officer returned to the scene. He said officers went back later on Saturday and spoke with other persons who were around at the time of the shooting. He explained that there have been no leads so far but investigations are continuing.