BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A child’s party was horrifyingly interrupted last evening (Nov. 1) when the sound of gunshots rang out and two men were injured, allegedly at the hands of police who, according to their report, were attempting to apprehend an individual.
A police press release issued this morning explained that during an incident last evening, police were in the process of apprehending an individual identified as Craig ‘Jumbies’ Halliday of Upper Thibou Avenue “for carrying an illegal firearm”.
The communiqué further explained that the incident occurred at about 8:50 p.m. “in an alley that connects Upper Thibou and Upper Shaw Avenues, in McKnight”.
“During the arrest…a juvenile male and Akeem Chumney of Fort Thomas Road received gunshot wounds. They were transported to the JNF General Hospital by the Emergency Medical Services.”
It reported that both of the injured parties were treated and detained at the Surgical Ward with Chumney having sustained injuries to his left ankle and the juvenile having sustained injuries to both ankles.
While the release indicated that Halliday “has been detained by Police for illegal possession of one (1) Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol with thirteen rounds of ammunition”, it did not indicate whether or not charges have been laid and, if not, when they would be.
This seizure brings to 18 the number of illegal firearms taken from the streets to date this year, six more than 2014.
The press release did however indicate that Halliday is scheduled to appear at the Nevis Assizes tomorrow (Nov. 3) on a murder charge. It also indicated that he is on bail from that particular charge.
Initial reports which had reached SKNVibes regarding last night’s incident were that police officers had opened fire near a child’s birthday party in the McKnight area.
This publication is aware of at least one posting on social media in which an individual expressed indignation in relation to the incident. However, because of the language used in the post, SKNVibes has taken the decision not to publish it.
And according to reports published by WINNFM, at least one child, a three-yar-old, witnessed the incident and a 14-year-old reported that she was pushed to the ground by one of the officers during the incident.
The police have reported that the scene was processed by the Forensic Department and that “an investigation by the Office of Professional Standards will be commissioned”.
In recent times, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force has come in for serious criticisms from the public having been involved in three shootings, two of which the victims died.
