BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AN estimated gathering of some 300 persons turned out Thursday afternoon (Jan. 22) to witness the burial of shooting-victim Isimba Aldin Bradley, a.k.a. Ratty and Simba, of Fiennes Avenue, Basseterre.
The home-going service for the 17-year-old was held in a capacity filled St. Johnston Methodist Church, officiated by Pastor Uriel Hensley, while hundreds of mourners, sympathisers and onlookers congregated in the surrounding streets before his interment at the Springfield Cemetery.
According to a police release, Bradley was shot on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at about 12:40 a.m. while walking along Central Street, Basseterre with another person.
“The two young men were attacked by an armed assailant who opened fire on them. After been shot he ran down Fort Street on to the Bay Road where he collapsed and was pronounced dead. One suspect was shot and injured by Police during a chase at Market Street, and is currently in custody in custody as a patient at the JNF Hospital,” the release said.
The same release, dated Tuesday, January 20, 2009, stated that Dr. Stephen Jones performed an autopsy on Bradley’s body on the previous day and reported that he died as a result of gunshot injuries to the chest and neck with haemorrhage and shock.
Mother of the deceased, Althea Herbert of Keys Village, told SKNVibes that she is very concerned about the rumours concerning her son’s death. She claimed some people are saying that the police were involved and many questions are yet to be answered.
Herbert also said she wants to see justice done and hopes that investigations would soon reveal who the perpetrator is.
This morning (Jan. 24), SKNVibes contacted Police Press and Public Relations Officer Inspector Cromwell Henry, who said the police are mandated to serve and protect nationals and residents of and visitors to the Federation, and they are not involved and would not condone extra judicial killing.
Henry pointed out that following investigations, evidence does not point to any member of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force being involved in Bradley’s shooting-death.
He however advised that anyone who may have information concerning the incident should assist the police by giving a statement so that the perpetrator would be brought to justice.
“We go by evidence, not rumours, and if anyone has information leading to the solvability of this crime, we ask them to come forward and give a statement to the police,” the Inspector said.
