(PRESS RELEASE) – Members of the public will soon be able to report unlawful activities and make general inquiries when the City Police Department launches its three-digit toll-free emergency phone line next month.

His Worship, Mayor Peterson D. Francis says the new service will permit City Police officers to speedily respond to any incidents taking place within the city of Castries.

According to Mayor Francis, introducing such a new service is designed to reduce the pressure on the official 999 system. The new system will also make it easier for the general public to share information.

“The emergency phone line will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We believe in not only safety and security within Castries, but also contributing nationally to the efforts of our hardworking law enforcement officers. This new service will be an added feature to the already existing 999. We are easing the strain and therefore would wish that citizens, residents and visitors within the city of Castries use the new service purposefully.”

(1)(0)

The post City Police emergency hotline to launch this month appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

(SNO) — An investigation is underway into a police shooting that occurred on Monday on L’Anse Road, Castries, near the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

The injured man, identified as Mervin Beharry, is currently in stable condition at Victoria Hospital after sustaining two gunshot wounds to his chest and leg, according to law enforcement sources.

Reports are that police responded to a report of a man brandishing a firearm. On reaching the scene, a confrontation broke out between BeHarry and the police.

During the alleged struggle with the cop/s, Beharry was shot twice. The police allegedly recovered Beharry’s firearm.

The incident occurred around 11 a.m.

No additional information was available.

(0)(0)

The post BREAKING NEWS: Man shot by police in Castries identified appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Mary and Kimberly

(SNO) — Mary Williams, the mother of slain government accountant Kimberly Williams-De Leon is running out of patience and is getting frustrated with the pace of investigations into her daughter’s death.

Mary, also known as Phillipa, told HTS News that she has made up her mind to put her “neck on the guillotine” to get justice for her daughter.

“I need justice for my daughter and I will fight to the end,” she told HTS.

Mary has returned to Saint Lucia from the United States in an effort to ensure her daughter’s case does not join the many other cold cases on island.

According to her, she was “sitting down” but now she is “standing up” and “shaking my feathers”. She said the time has come to stand up and rally for justice.

Mary is particularly concerned that the long-overdue forensic results are still pending.

“Why does results have to be posted to you, as opposed to officers picking it up? … What if it gets lost, what if it gets tampered with?…. I am very concerned,” she said, regarding the manner in which the results are expected to be received by the authorities.

She alleged in the HTS interview that the investigating officer, assigned to her daughter’s case, has been ignoring her for the past two months.

“He has been avoiding me for whatever reason… I don’t know…. I am not afraid to say it,” she said, alleging that the officer is always finding an excuse whenever she tries to meet with him.

De Leon, a mother of two, was gunned down in her home at Chef Harry Drive, The Morne in Castries on Oct. 29, 2018.  She died from a single gunshot wound to the head, according to the post-mortem. Her children were at home at the time of the shooting but were unharmed.

De Leon, an accountant in the Ministry of Education, was 42 years old.

Her ex-husband, a senior cop, was a person of interest in the case, but not a suspect, according to police officials.

It is publicly known that De Leon and her husband were before the courts regarding custody of their children. It is also known that the couple were involved in domestic disputes that reached the police station.

Kimberly’s mother told HTS that she seldom spoke to her son-in-law.

When asked by the HTS reporter if there was violence in her daughter’s relationship, Mary responded: “There was both physical and verbal.”

Asked how regular was this physical and verbal altercations, MaAry said “not that regular, but a couple of times”. She added that whenever her daughter and her ex-husband had arguments “she would call me and let me know”.

She said whenever the ex-husband “would start an argument” Kimberly “would call and put it on speaker” so she would hear.

Mary alleged in the HTS interview that Kimberly was “deprived of seeing her children for two weeks” and that she lost her life “because she wanted to go with her children, she didn’t want to leave them behind”.

Mary, who claims she is unable to sleep well since her daughter’s murder, is calling on the authorities or the investigating officer to reach out to her to “speak to me, don’t give me one story now and give me another later”.

(28)(2)

The post Mother of Kimberly Williams-De Leon ready to put her ‘neck on the line’ appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

None of these firearms were involved in the incident mentioned below. However, according to nj.com, one of these firearms is fake. Can you tell which one is fake or which one is real?

(SNO) –– A man who was shot by a police officer at Lanse Road, Castries yesterday had an imitation firearm, law enforcement sources have confirmed.

According to a reliable source, police responded to a report around 11 a.m. on Monday that a man was brandishing a firearm and threatening to shoot and kill members of the people.

“Police did not receive a report that a mentally challenged man was branding a toy gun, a water gun. The report received is that a man was threatening the public with a firearm that was in full view of the public,” the source said.

When the police arrived at the scene, they met an adult male, indeed, brandishing a firearm. They reportedly told him to freeze and put away the firearm, but this fell on deaf ears.

“He was acting in an aggressive manner, cursing and pointing the firearm at the officers. The firearm looked real. The officers had all right to shoot to kill at this time, because no officer can tell at that point whether the firearm was real or not,” the source said.

According to the source, the officers tackled the suspect, in an effort to disarm him but he continued to put up a struggle. It was during this time, that one of the officers allegedly discharged a round into the leg of the suspect.

“This did not stop the man from fighting the officers who were still trying to disarm him. Even with the shot to the leg he still continued to fight,” the source added.

Reports are that the officers discharged another bullet, hitting the suspect in his chest.

The suspect was identified as Mervin Beharry. He has been admitted at Victoria Hospital in stable condition.

The officers sustained minor injuries, according to reports.

Another source said the officers should be commended for their initial restraint.

“Their actions were admirable, because even after being threatened with a firearm that looked real, and no one could tell if it was real or not unless they inspected it. But how could you inspect a firearm during such a situation when the person is acting aggressively?” the source said.

“A water gun is a toy. He had an imitation firearm that can only be determined by an armorer and that has not been done. When a man pointing a gun at you and fighting with you, you believe you will examine a gun? The whole point of an imitation firearm is that it looks just like the real one.”

Reports are that the suspect was also mentally challenged. But from initial appearance, that did not appear so, according to reliable sources.

“He did not appear retarded. He was not retarded,” one of the source said.

Imitation firearms are illegal in Saint Lucia, and many countries.

(5)(2)

The post “Aggressive” Castries shooting victim had an “imitation firearm” — “but how could the police have known?” appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

(SNO) — Customers and employees at the Morne Bakery, Castries were left in shock earlier this week when three masked gunmen stormed the establishment and stole an undetermined amount of cash.

They later made good their escape with with an accomplice in a waiting car.

A man, who was in the bakery at the time of the incident told HTS, that one customer was pistol-whipped by one of the gunmen.

“Three young fellas, they just rushed inside there, each of them had a gun,” he said.

The man said a woman was hit with the butt of a gun while he just stood there since he was held up.

Owner of the bakery, Magdalene Minvielle, told HTS that the robbery may have been an inside job.

“When I come, I see my staff, all of them crying, they hiding,” she remarked. “Some, they lie down on the ground and I see on the camera there three masked men with the gun on them, and they demand the lady from the bread section to take all the money. They demand the cashier at the cash register to give them all the money and the bank deposit we just finished do it inside. So, they come straight to the place, they take it. That’s why I know that have a lick with the workers.”

She said she is thankful that no one was hurt.

“They take the money but they didn’t take our lives,” she said.

Police are now investigating the incident.

(0)(0)

The post Masked gunmen storm, rob Morne Bakery appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

(SNO) — Earlier this week it was the Morne Bakery. This time bandits have hit Ti J’s Ultra Supermarket in Marchand, Castries.

No one was injured.

Two masked individuals, one brandishing a firearm, robbed the business establishment of just over $200 in cash on Thursday, according to sources.

Reports are that the bandits took the tray with the cash inside and made good their escape.

(0)(5)

The post Armed robbers hit Marchand business appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Soumere (left) and George

(SNO) — Police have charged 20-year-old Miguel Soumere for the execution-style killing of Melvin Romanus George at the Vieux Fisheries Complex last month.

Police said Soumere was charged on Thursday shortly after he was released from hospital. He had been admitted after he was shot in his face in Bruceville, Vieux Fort after 9 a.m. on Jan. 28, 2019, allegedly by his cousin, Irvin Julian, aka ‘Block Chest’, who has been charged for attempted murder.

According to reports, the gunshot fragments damaged Soumere’s right eye and exited his nose.

Soumere remains in police custody in relation to the killing of George who was shot in the back of head, by a lone gunman wearing a ‘hoodie, while cleaning fish on Jan. 25, 2019.

There has been a series of shooting in Vieux Fort in recent weeks.

On January 24, Jahmil Pierre was shot and injured in Bruceville and was hospitalised.

(3)(1)

The post Vieux Fort shooting victim charged for killing man at fisheries complex appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

A Glock firearm (not gun mentioned in story)

(PRESS RELEASE) — On Tuesday, February 5, 2019, police officers attached to the Criminal Investigations Department, Castries received a report of a robbery, which occurred at Tapion about 9:25 p.m. that day.

A police operation spearheaded by the Special Services Unit was launched, which resulted in the arrest of 20-year-old Kamatti Cornibert of Hospital Road, Castries, who was found in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

He was later charged for stealing and unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition.

He was escorted to the First District Court where he was granted bail in the sum of $7,500 cash or suitable surety. He is expected to return to court on March 14, 2019.

Section 22 (1) of the Firearms Act states:

PROHIBITION AGAINST POSSESSION WITHOUT A LICENCE

(1) A person shall not be in possession or control of a prohibited weapon except as authorised by the law in force in Saint Lucia.
(2) A person shall not be in possession or control of a restricted weapon except as authorised by the appropriate authority under this Act.
(3) Subject to section 23 and to section 54 a person shall not be in possession of any other firearm or ammunition without valid licence issued under this Act.
(4) A person who contravenes subsection (1), (2) or (3) commits an offence and is liable—
(a) if in possession or control of a restricted weapon or restricted ammunition—
(i) on summary conviction, to a fine of not less than $10,000 or imprisonment for a term of not less than 5 years,
(ii) on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term of not less than 10 years;
(b) in any other case—
(i) on summary conviction to a fine of not less than $15,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not less than 7 years,
(ii) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term of not less than 10 years.

(3)(0)

The post Hospital Road man busted with firearm and ammunition following robbery appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Miguel Soumere

(PRESS RELEASE) — On Thursday, February 7, 2019, 20-year-old Miguel Soumere of Bruceville, Vieux Fort was formally charged for causing the death of 30-year-old, Melvin George on Friday, January 25, 2019 at Vieux Fort.

Soumere was charged for the offence of murder, contrary to Section 85 of the Criminal Code Chapter 3.01 of the Revised Laws of St. Lucia 2013.

He was taken to the Second District Court for a bail hearing, where he was remanded into custody. He is expected to return before the court on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, for case management.

The Royal St. Lucia Police Force wishes to thank the members of public who were instrumental in bringing a resolution to this matter.

EARLIER STORY: Vieux Fort shooting victim charged for killing man at fisheries complex

Soumere (left) and George

Police have charged 20-year-old Miguel Soumere for the execution-style killing of Melvin Romanus George at the Vieux Fisheries Complex last month.

Police said Soumere was charged on Thursday shortly after he was released from hospital. He had been admitted after he was shot in his face in Bruceville, Vieux Fort after 9 a.m. on Jan. 28, 2019, allegedly by his cousin, Irvin Julian, aka ‘Block Chest’, who has been charged for attempted murder.

According to reports, the gunshot fragments damaged Soumere’s right eye and exited his nose.

Soumere remains in police custody in relation to the killing of George who was shot in the back of head, by a lone gunman wearing a ‘hoodie, while cleaning fish on Jan. 25, 2019.

There has been a series of shooting in Vieux Fort in recent weeks.

On January 24, Jahmil Pierre was shot and injured in Bruceville and was hospitalised.

(1)(0)

The post Man charged in Vieux Fort homicide appears in court appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Kimberly Williams De Leon

(SNO) — Human and gender rights advocate, Felicia Browne, has expressed disappointment with the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force regarding the homicide case of Kimberly Williams De Leon, who was fatally shot at her residence in late 2018.

Browne, who is also president of the Caribbean Mentorship Institute, called on Police Commissioner Severin Moncherry and National Security Minister Hermangild Francis in a Facebook post.

“Sirs, I cannot express how disappointed I have been in the Police Force following the death of Kimberly De Leon,” Browne wrote.

From left: Browne, Francis, and Moncherry

She added: “The Police Commissioner has had very little regard on how this matter is being perceived by the general public. Sirs, We are requesting that you inform the public on the latest developments (not incriminating evidence), i.e.

“Did the forensic results provide any evidence to any possible leads? Please remember that while we are going on our busy days – there is STILL a cold-blooded killer among us. Have a safe weekend everyone.”

Browne’s comments came a few days after Mary Williams, the mother of Kimberly Williams-De Leon, expressed her disappointment in an interview with HTS.

Mary and Kimberly

Mary, also known as Phillipa, said she is running out of patience and is getting frustrated with the pace of investigations into her daughter’s death.

She told HTS News that she has made up her mind to put her “neck on the guillotine” to get justice for her daughter.

“I need justice for my daughter and I will fight to the end,” she told HTS.

Mary has returned to Saint Lucia from the United States in an effort to ensure her daughter’s case does not join the many other cold cases on island.

According to her, she was “sitting down” but now she is “standing up” and “shaking my feathers”. She said the time has come to stand up and rally for justice.

Mary is particularly concerned that the long-overdue forensic results are still pending.

“Why does results have to be posted to you, as opposed to officers picking it up? … What if it gets lost, what if it gets tampered with?…. I am very concerned,” she said, regarding the manner in which the results are expected to be received by the authorities.

She alleged in the HTS interview that the investigating officer, assigned to her daughter’s case, has been ignoring her for the past two months.

“He has been avoiding me for whatever reason… I don’t know…. I am not afraid to say it,” she said, alleging that the officer is always finding an excuse whenever she tries to meet with him.

De Leon, a mother of two, was gunned down in her home at Chef Harry Drive, The Morne in Castries on Oct. 29, 2018. She died from a single gunshot wound to the head, according to the post-mortem. Her children were at home at the time of the shooting but were unharmed.

De Leon, an accountant in the Ministry of Education, was 42 years old.

Her ex-husband, a senior cop, was a person of interest in the case, but not a suspect, according to police officials.

It is publicly known that De Leon and her husband were before the courts regarding custody of their children. It is also known that the couple were involved in domestic disputes that reached the police station.

Kimberly’s mother told HTS that she seldom spoke to her son-in-law.

When asked by the HTS reporter if there was violence in her daughter’s relationship, Mary responded: “There was both physical and verbal.”

Asked how regular was this physical and verbal altercations, Mary said “not that regular, but a couple of times”. She added that whenever her daughter and her ex-husband had arguments “she would call me and let me know”.

She said whenever the ex-husband “would start an argument” Kimberly “would call and put it on speaker” so she would hear.

Mary alleged in the HTS interview that Kimberly was “deprived of seeing her children for two weeks” and that she lost her life “because she wanted to go with her children, she didn’t want to leave them behind”.

Mary, who claims she is unable to sleep well since her daughter’s murder, is calling on the authorities or the investigating officer to reach out to her to “speak to me, don’t give me one story now and give me another later”.

(7)(0)

The post “There is still a cold-blooded killer among us” – Saint Lucia gender rights advocate on Kimberly De Leon homicide appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Castries. * Photo by Dani Devaux

(SNO) — Two Canadian tourists were robbed in Castries on Saturday morning, on their very first visit to the island, and as such, have vowed never return, according to a tourism official.

The official said David and Carol Goss, who are in their 60s, were attacked by a young male just before midday as they walked along Crick Road, Castries, in search of the local museum.

“The attacker grabbed the wife’s bag which contained all personal items, ID cards, bank cards, and cash. He ran away,” the tourism official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“This is very bad for the country and is eroding all the hard work we are doing to bring visitors here,” the official added.

Except for a scratch to the wife’s face, as the assailant grabbed her bag, the visitors were not harmed, however the incident has left them “shocked” and ashamed, the official reported.

According to the official, the tourists, who were staying in Soufriere, had visited Castries for the day to see the museum.

“They were scheduled to stay another week or two but they are ready to leave. We are trying our best to work with the authorities to locate their ID cards and to ensure they’re well taken care of before they leave. We hope this will not deter other visitors from coming here, as this is not a frequent occurrence. Saint Lucia is still safe,” the official added.

The tourists said they have been enjoying the beauty of the island and the friendliness of the natives until this incident and vow not to return, the official disclosed.

“It’s a shame. Saint Lucians should not know they when we rob and harm our tourists we are shooting ourselves in the foot,” the official added.

Police are investigating.

(4)(10)

The post Canadian tourists robbed in Castries vow never to return to Saint Lucia appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

(SNO) — Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred in Jacmel on Monday.

Reports are that the victim, a male, was shot minutes after 2 p.m.

In a video posted on social media, the victim appears to be motionless on the ground, beside a vehicle, as a police officer, armed with a gun, uses yellow tape to cordon off the scene.

Reports are that the victim is a Syrian businessman.

No further details available.

(13)(7)

The post BREAKING NEWS: Man shot in Jacmel appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

(SNO) — A man who was gunned down in Jacmel Monday afternoon has been confirmed to be a Syrian national, according to law enforcement sources.

The shooting occurred around 2 p.m.

A video of the aftermath of the victim is circulating on social media.

The victim was motionless and unresponsive when law enforcement and emergency officials arrived on the scene.

(3)(15)

The post Video showing aftermath of Jacmel shooting surfaces on social media appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

(SNO) – A Syrian national who was gunned down in Jacmel Monday afternoon has been described as a loyal customer.

Reports are that the foreign national, whose name has not been disclosed, was selling items from a vehicle when he was shot.

The incident occurred around 2 p.m.

Videos of the aftermath of the shooting has appeared on Facebook and other social media.

In one of the videos, it shows the businessman lying next to a vehicle and police officers cordoning off the scene with yellow tape.

“When will this end ???…….he was my loyal customer always on his hustle,” one person wrote on social media.

Another said: “He is the Syrian that sells cigarettes in the area.”

One person wrote that the businessman was one of the “nicest” Syrians in the city.

“I can’t believe this!!!! I was sure to get a discount on any time in his store. He was one of the nicest Syrians in the city. A couple of months ago when I went to the store to purchase a pair of shoes etc. we spoke about how different the children are nowadays.”

(3)(47)

The post Syrian national gunned down in Jacmel was “my loyal customer” appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

(SNO) — A young male was reportedly apprehended by residents of Morne Du Don, Castries on Monday morning after he allegedly tried to enter a vehicle with a woman and her baby, according to reports.

A video of the suspect tied up in the tray of a pickup truck has gone viral.

According to information received, the woman screamed after the suspect jumped in her vehicle around 6 a.m. He allegedly tried to leave with the vehicle and the baby.

The woman reportedly screamed and neighbours came to her rescue. The suspect was apprehended, tied up and handed over to the police.

According to law enforcement sources, the suspect, who appears to have mental issues, is in police custody.

The woman involved in the incident, posted this on Facebook: “I live mon d don and that’s where the incident occur around 6:00 a.m this morning. My baby is 8 months old. No one was seriously hurt. I am thankful to neighbours who came to our aid but the police has not heard the last of me on this matter.”

No additional information was received. We will update you later

(18)(4)

The post Video of ‘suspect’ in Morne Du Don incident goes viral appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Wassouf

(SNO) — A senior law enforcement source believe that the island’s latest homicide victim, 49-year-old Souheil Wassouf, was not the victim of a robbery.

Wassouf, originally from Homs, Syria, but resided at Rodney Heights, Gros Islet, was fatally shot in Jacmel, Anse La Raye on Monday afternoon.

“To me that was an execution-style killing,” the source said.

The source added that it appears Wassouf, who was known to drive around the island and sells items from his vehicle, was attacked while in his vehicle. His silver Toyota Voxy minivan (a twin of the Toyota Noah) has at least four bullet holes, two in the windscreen and one on the bonnet.

Wassouf was found motionless at the back of his vehicle. Th the driver’s door was open and the driver’s window was partially shattered by the bullets. It appears he tried to escape but was cut down at the back of the minivan.

Reports are that the fatal wound may have been a shot to the head, in the forehead region.

It is not yet known if any items were stolen from the vehicle.

Another source said: “If anything was taken, it was taken for convenience or to make it appear as a robbery, but he was definitely executed. They came to kill him.”

Wassouf, who at time operated a store in Castries, is survived by a wife and two children.

(9)(7)

The post Syrian national Souheil Wassouf was killed “execution-style” in Jacmel/Anse La Raye: Source appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

Wassouf was gunned down in Jacmel/Anse La Raye on Monday afternoon.

(SNO) — Police are calling on the public to assist them with the islands latest homicide, the killing of businessman Syria national and Saint Lucia resident, Souheil Wassouf, in Jacmel/Anse La Raye on Monday.

In a release on Tuesday, police said anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the nearest police station, the Major Crime Unit at 456-3754, or the Crime Hotline at 45-CRIME/ 452-7463.

According to the release, on Monday, February 11, 2019, about 3 p.m. officers attached to the Anse La Raye Police Station responded to a report of a shooting at Jacmel, Anse La Raye.

Upon arrival, officers said they observed the “unresponsive body” of the 49-year-old resident of Rodney Heights, Gros Islet, outside his minivan.

He was transported to Victoria Hospital via ambulance after “having allegedly sustained gunshot wounds” about his body, the release said.

“He was later formally pronounced dead by a medical practitioner. A post mortem examination is scheduled for a subsequent date,” the release added.

A senior law enforcement source told our newsroom that Wassouf’s death was execution-style, ruling out robbery.

Wassouf’s killing is the fourth homicide for 2019.

(1)(2)

The post Police seeking public’s assistance with homicide #4 appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

(SNO) — A woman who whose family, including her eight-month-old baby, was attacked by a young man on Monday morning, has criticised the police response to the incident.

The woman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, only identifying her family as “Mr and Mrs. Wilson”, told St. Lucia News Online that the attack occurred around 6:30 a.m. Monday outside her home in Agard, Morne Du Don, Castries.

A video of the perpetrator tied up in the tray of a pick-up motor van has gone viral.

“My husband left the house with my eight-month-old baby. He placed her in her car seat and was approached by a young gentleman who asked for a ride,” the mother of two told St. Lucia News Online.

“At his appearance — dirty, no shoes — my husband told him that he was not going to town and went into the car. The young man proceeded to open the front door and pull him out. He wanted the car and the baby,” she added.

“I went into the shower and realised my husband forgot his phone so I rushed outside to witness this man wrestling with my husband. I yelled out for help, ran back in the house to get my cutlass, and asked my 10- year-old to hide. I didn’t get the weapon so I grabbed a post and ran back out, still calling for help.”

The startled woman called 911 but was shocked with the response she allegedly received.

“I attacked the gentleman with my post. Luckily, my neighbours came to aid, and I jumped out of the scramble and called 911. I was told that’s not where I should call and was given another number. I was not the only one calling but no one could get through. I tried calling other people for other numbers but everywhere I got told me it’s not them, until we got to the right place, but he was the only one there, he informed me. By that time my husband and neighbors had the gentleman tied up so I informed the officer. He instructed us to transport the gentleman to the Wellness Centre.

“One of my neighbors received that same message when he got through, so that’s what we did. My neighbor, with a pick-up, and a few other heroes from the community behind, did just that while my husband and I made our way to the station,” the mother said.

She further explained what occurred at the police station.

“On arriving at the station we walked in the room and said we came to make a report, and I expressed my displeasure and frustration about all the calls I had to make and still no assistance was ever received,” she said.

“He (police officer) explained to me that there was a suicide in a near-by area and that’s where his fellow officers were and apologized, but that made me more angry cause they were so close. The individual was dead and two or three or four officers at the scene, and not one could come to save the living. While I am ranting on my neighbors show up with the gentleman still behind the vehicle. Wellness Center sent them back to the station.”

She continued: “Apparently there is a protocol according to the Wellness Centre that the man was supposed to be escorted with an officer. By that time I was beyond frustrated. If he was going to be released the same day, the officer promised to call, which he did late last night, to say we could sleep well, the gentleman is still in custody.”

According to the victim, no one knows the young man. She has since decided not to pursue a case against the him because it turns out he is mentally unstable.

“No one knows him or have seen him before. I am told, not confirmed, he has a relative in a neighbouring community. We were asked if we want to go to court with him and we told them no he is a sick man, just get him the help he needs so he is no longer a danger to us, since he told is he coming back for our baby.”

She said no harm was done to the young man because he was not armed.

“No he was not armed that’s why we didn’t do him any harm. I don’t think he deliberately came to hurt us,” she said.

Police have since confirmed with our newsroom that the young man is still in the custody of the police, at a medical institution.

Meanwhile, the victim said, while the attack was horrific, the police response made it worse.

“The attack was bad but not being given any hope with the words ‘ok mam we are on our way’ made the experience even worse. To save my husband’s life I needed to fight and make the call. All the calls I tried to make was time spent not fighting. Had neighbors not come to give me that help and allowance to make these calls…” she said.

(13)(0)

The post “He wanted the car and the baby” — Agard victim speaks out, criticizes police 911 response appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

British national Robert ‘Bob’ Hathaway (left) and Syrian national Souheil Wassouf are the islands first and fourth homicide victims, respectively.

(SNO) – Exactly one month after his death, police have yet to formally arrest and charge anyone in connection with the murder of British national and longtime resident, Robert ‘Bob’ Hathaway.

The lifeless body of the businessman was discovered with “apparent wounds” at about 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 13, a police press release stated.

A post-mortem has since confirmed that Hathaway died from stab wounds, according to a law enforcement source. But no additional information was provided about the post-mortem.

Hathaway’s bloodied body was reportedly discovered in his residence in Piat, Grand Riviere, Gros Islet by a neighbour.

According to the release, officers from the Gros Islet Police Station said they responded “to a report of a suspicious death” and that the 66-year-old was pronounced dead on the scene by a medical practitioner.

Hathaway’s killing is Saint Lucia’s first homicide for 2019.

To date, there has been a total of four homicides, the latest being the execution-style shooting of Syrian businessman and Rodney Heights resident, 49-year-old Souheil Wassouf.

The shooting occurred after 2 p.m. in Jacmel/Anse La Raye on Monday, Feb. 11. There have been no reports of an arrest in this case.

Wassouf used to operate a store in the city of Castries and was reportedly selling items from his vehicle at the time he was ambushed and shot.

(2)(4)

The post Post-mortem reveals Bob Hathaway’s cause of death as case goes cold appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.

(SNO) – A young man who was on Monday apprehended by residents after he attacked a family in Agard, Morne Du Don, Castries is back in police custody after he reportedly caused a disturbance at a city infant/primary school.

Details are sketchy at this time, but our newsroom has received three video clips, one of which shows several men, believed to be plain-clothes police officers, picking up the young man and placing him in the tray of pickup van.

In the other videos, his hands and feet are bound as he talks to other persons, believed to be teachers, at the school.

In one of the videos, it is being said that the young man attacked a female student by stepping on her hands and “threw her”. SEE TWO MORE VIDEOS BELOW

On Monday, Feb. 11, around 6:30 a.m., the same young man reportedly approached a man who had his eight-month-old baby in the car, and demanded that the man hand over his car and the baby. The man was then attacked when he refused.  CLICK TO SEE ORIGINAL STORY

It was further reported that the man’s wife came to his aid, as well as other residents.

The culprit was then tied up and placed in the tray of a pick-up van and brought to the Wellness Centre, then to the police station.

In an exclusive interview, the wife told our newsroom that she did not press charges against the young man because it was clear he is of unsound mind. Despite this, police told her they will keep him in police custody as well as bring him for medical treatment.

However, according to sources, the young man was reportedly released from police custody sometime between last night and this morning.

He is now back in police custody after he allegedly attacked students at a school in Castries.

We will provide more information as it becomes available.

(3)(6)

The post Videos: Man who attacked Castries family arrested again after disturbance at school appeared first on St. Lucia News Online.