BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A young man, who has had numerous run-ins with the law, said a recent wanted bulletin published and broadcast by various media houses in the Federation has further tarnished his character, caused him to lose his job and turned away from others on application.
Sheldon ‘Sword’ Cannonier of Neverson Street, Newtown claims that the police, through the media, seem bent on depriving him of earning an honest dollar, taking care of his dependents and living a peaceful life. He is also accusing the police of harassment.
The 26-year-old man’s allegation is based on the publication of an article with his image, along with those of Denzil ‘Para’ Williams and Bernard Berry, which stated that he was “wanted by the Police for questioning in relation to the recent murders”.
“After a friend told me that he hear the police want me in connection with the recent murders, I checked on the internet and saw my picture with a big wanted sign on SKNVibes. I immediately contacted my lawyer and asked him to accompany me to Basseterre Police Station to clear my name.
“My lawyer contacted the police and they went by my home with a vehicle and I join them and report to the station,” Cannonier said.
Cannonier said the police were investigating the shooting death of Collin ‘Izum’ Matthew in Ponds Extension on Monday, March 2, and Akimba ‘Oil’ Whyte and Kwesi Twells on Wednesday, March 4.
“When I report at the station, the police ask me many questions concerning the three murders and they also wanted to know where I been during the time the murders took place. I told them that I was at work when they happened and I’m no killer. I don’t have a gun and I don’t intend to ever own one, and yet the police say that I’m armed and dangerous. The police got to do their investigation better and stop harassing and arresting innocent people,” Cannonier explained.
The father of one said he was working with a contractor as a labourer on a building in Fortlands when the shooting incidents occurred, and his presence at the site is on record.
“The news say that Izum was shot at about 2:30 p.m. Monday and Oil and Kwesi were killed shortly after 1:00 p.m. on the Wednesday. When those crimes were done I was at work and the entire place where I was working get surveillance cameras. In addition to the cameras, the construction boss and the workers knew that I was on the site when the shootings take place. This was told to the police,” Cannonier said.
He further stated that on the afternoon when it was announced that Izum had succumbed to his injuries, on more than one occasion police patrol vehicles had passed him while in the vicinity of his home.
“Firstly, if the police know that I was wanted, why didn’t they arrest me when they passed me more than one time when I was in front of my home after returning from work? Secondly, the police mean to harass me. I’m no stranger to the police, they know me and they also know where I live. If they want me for questioning, all they had to do was go by my home, and if they didn’t find me there one of my family members would have let them know where to find me. For some time now since the police had been harassing me, I always let my family know where I’m going and where they could find me in event of emergency. This was done because I don’t want people to accuse me for something somebody else do while the police is looking for a scapegoat,” Cannonier explained.
He also explained that Whyte and Twells were working on the same building with him in Fortlands, and the two of them were on lunch-break when they were gunned down.
“The police must get the facts before publishing people as wanted. Don’t just jump to conclusions and try to embarrass innocent people because they had run-ins with the law in the past,” he added.
Cannonier also stated that by releasing the wanted bulletin with his image, the police and the media have caused him to be out of a job. “Since they publish that I was wanted, I lost my job and when I go to other construction place looking for work, people look at me with suspicion. This clearly show that the police don’t want me to survive, they don’t want me to earn a honest dollar to take care of my dependents.”
Cannonier said that following his release from custody on Thursday last, he had another encounter with the police on Tuesday (Mar. 10). He claimed that he was apprehended at about 10:00 a.m. and taken to the Basseterre Police Station for questioning concerning his presence in Monkey Hill earlier that morning.
“The police arrested me at about 10 o’clock Tuesday morning while I was at Manchester Avenue. They carried me to Basseterre Police Station and ask me what I was doing in Monkey Hill, and after I explain to them they loose me about half an hour after,” Cannonier said.
Cannonier said he was the pillion rider on a friend’s motorcycle during a visit to another friend who resides in Monkey Hill, and he is outraged at the police’s action.
“I’m living in St. Kitts and I have friends in many parts of St. Kitts. Therefore, why I can’t go and visit friends in the country where I was born? Like everybody else, I’m free to walk where I want…I’m not on curfew and this country is not under a state of emergency. All that I’m asking the police for, is to allow me the opportunity to earn an honest dollar and live a life free from harassment,” he concluded.
SKNVibes contacted the Police Press and Public Relations Officer, Inspector Cromwell Henry, who, in response to Cannonier’s allegation of character assassination, said the police did not violate any law in the posting of his image in the media.
“All over the world, it is the practice of the police to issue a wanted bulletin with the person’s image, especially in high profile cases and if the person cannot be easily located.”
In addressing the apprehending of Cannonier on Tuesday, Henry said the police have an ongoing vigorous stop and search campaign and officers have the right to stop and search anyone, “especially suspicious-looking persons”.
