BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THANKS to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) training received by the officers attached to the Violent Crime Unit (VCU) in the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF), one man has been arrested and charged in relation to two murders on Nevis.
A press release issued by the Police Press and Public Relations Office informed that approximately one year after the shooting deaths of Kishmoy Challenger of Pond Hill and Adrian Springette of Bath Village, the VCU in Nevis on Monday (Jun. 16) arrested and charged David Leon Jeffers of New Castle, Nevis on warrants in the first instance.
Challenger was shot sometime after 8:00 a.m. on May 14, 2013, after he reportedly disembarked his vehicle having arrived for work at Cliff Dwellers.
Information received by this publication suggested that upon exiting the vehicle two gunmen opened fire on him, striking him several times and made good their escape in his vehicle.
He was rushed to the Alexandra Hospital where he underwent surgery and was then warded there. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries at about 5:00 p.m.
Police recovered Challengers' vehicle, a silver Mitsubishi RVR Jeep (PA7687), undamaged sometime after 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 26, 2013 within a clump of bushes in an area locally known as ‘Gore Hill’ in Fountain Village.
Springette was shot and killed on June 22, 2013 at about 2:15 a.m. at the Elquemedo Willet Park, Nevis.
Days after his death it was speculated that police might have been involved, but a police press release issued on June 27, 2013 quoted the Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibility for Crime, Ian Queeley, as refuting the rumour.
“The general public is hereby informed that the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force had no operation taking place in the area at that time or were there any police officer pursuing anyone, in particular the deceased, before, during or after the fateful incident on Saturday 22 June 2013 at Grove Park.”
In today's (Jun. 18) press release, the RSCNPF extended condolences to the families of the men who lost their lives and assured that investigations are ongoing.
Commissioner of Police CG Walwyn was quoted as saying: "As Commissioner of Police, I wish to thank the general public in Nevis for their continued assistance. Please call Crime Stoppers at 1 800 8477 if you have any further information on these homicides."
The release informed that the goal of the VCU is "to conduct sound investigations and bring to justice those who break the law and have no regard for human life".
The public is urged to continue calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 (TIPS) to report criminal activities and is also reminded that personal information need not be provided, and that callers may be eligible to receive a reward.
