BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A 41-year-old man who is nursing bullet wounds in the Joseph N France General Hospital claims that he did not assault the police and was shot without any reason by an officer against whom he won a court case.
Neville Fahie of Newton Ground was shot in both legs early Monday (Apr. 5) evening during an altercation with the police in the vicinity of the Ferry Terminal in Basseterre while a boxing exhibition was in progress as part of the Basil Henderson Easter Monday Aquatic Meet.
In a police communiqué issued the following day, headlined “Police investigates assault on police”, it was explained that Fahie, as a result of his disorderly conduct, was warned on several occasions by the lawmen. It further states that he threatened to kill the police and proceeded to beat them.
“At approximately 6:35 p.m. a number of police officers were on duty at the Bus and Ferry Terminal, Basseterre providing security for the Basil Henderson Easter Monday Aquatic games. According to police reports, while there, they had reason to speak to and warn several times, Neville Fahie of Newton Ground for his disorderly behavior especially during the time a boxing match was taking place. According to the officers, instead Fahie take heed he threatened to kill the police, then beat the police and plunged at them with a piece of metal pipe with a concrete base used to brace the tents.
“As a result the officer discharged his service pistol and struck Fahie in his legs. Fahie was transported by the Emergency Medical Services to the JNF Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and detained in stable condition. According to the investigating officer Fahie will likely face charges for indecent language, threatening language, assault and battery on police in the execution of their duty and resisting arrest.”
In an exclusive interview with SKNVibes, Fahie gave his version of the incident, which proved vastly different to that of the police.
Fahie claimed that while at the Ferry Terminal, he was approached by a police officer who made an attempt to arrest him and he was shot after inquiring why he was being arrested.
“I was down the Bay. I don’t really know it goes but I saw a policeman, they call him Maccou. He took out some shackles to put them on me and lock me up and I told him I am not doing anything.”
Fahie said he asked the officer, “Why are you locking me up? I am not doing anything”
The injured man was adamant and insistent that he “wasn’t doing anything”.
“He held my hands and I pulled away my hands. He pulled out his gun and shot me in me foot. We were close when the police shot me; about five feet apart and he just pulled out his gun and shoot me. I didn’t run, I didn’t walk anywhere…I didn’t have any pipe, I didn’t have any blocks. I didn’t have anything. He is lying. He is lying.”
According to Fahie, he was shot without reason and revealed that he had previous unfavourable dealings with that police officer, which resulted in a court case that he won.
“Me and him went court already and he has told me that he is going to shoot me…He is always playing with me. There was a time when someone and I had it out and he just came and started boxing me up. When I reached in the (police) station, he bus’ me head…”
The 41-year-old was shot in both thighs with most damage being done to the left. He explained that the bone in that leg is broken in three places and the bullet which caused the damage is yet to be removed. He further explained that the bullet which struck him in the right leg, entered and exited without making contact with any bone.
Police Press and Public Relations Officer Inspector Vaughan Henderson told this media house that as far as he is aware charges have yet to be brought against Fahie.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
