Oct. 7, 2003 – An investigation is under way of the daylight discharge of a gun by a police officer on Monday along a crowded roadway in the heart of Cruz Bay, Police Chief Novelle Francis said on Tuesday.
The shooting took place shortly before 10 a.m. after officers from the Zone D Command had stopped to question a number of men sitting along a wall in front of the Dolphin Gourmet Market, a popular gathering spot for day workers seeking construction jobs. At least two of the men ran away from the questioning officers, heading uphill on Centerline Road past Island Lock Up and the Islandia Real Estate building.
After ordering one fleeing man to halt, an unidentified male officer in pursuit of the man drew his service revolver in the middle of the road filled with vehicles and fired a single shot, then continued his pursuit on foot. He returned alone moments later.
On Tuesday, Francis said officials in the St. Thomas-St. John district are charged with sorting out the facts of the incident. "I was briefed on this situation. The officer was pursuing some undocumented aliens, and at some point he fired a shot in the air," Francis said. "Any time a shot is discharged it becomes the subject of an investigation."
St. Thomas Deputy Chief Elvin Fahie and St. John Deputy Chief Angelo Hill both declined to comment on the matter.
Back Talk
Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name, and the city and state/country or island where you reside.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
