The police have launched an investigation by the Serious Crimes Unit within the
Criminal Investigations Department (CID), into the circumstances surrounding the
incident that led to the death of 45-year-old Manny James on Monday night.
James died after being shot during a chase, involving law enforcement officers,
that culminated in the Grays Farm area where the shooting happened. James was
allegedly among three men who were traveling in a white Suzuki Vitara motor
vehicle when it approached a stop-and-search operation, being conducted by the
police department, on Lauchland Benjamin Drive.
Operations Officer at the CID, Superintendent Lisborn Michael, said the protocols
in place at the police department call for an investigation into these incidents by
this specialized department within CID.
He added that the officer involved in the incident has since been relieved from
active duties and is mandated to undergo counselling. The officer’s name was not
disclosed, but he is said to be at the rank of Corporal.
Supt. Michael could not confirm who fired the shot that led to James’s death as a
member of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force was believed to be involved in
the chase.
He however disclosed that James’s body had evidence of being shot twice; one
bullet penetrated his back and the other the front of his body. The video that is now
being widely circulated, recorded the sound of a single shot being fired.
According to Supt. Michael, when the vehicle approached the roadblock, it was
observed that it was traveling without a front registration plate, and as the police
attempted to stop it, the vehicle sped away in the opposite direction. A chase
ensued and the driver continued at a high speed making stops in Ottos, where one
person alighted and escaped, and again in Gray Hill where another escaped. The
vehicle was then driven into Grays Farm where it was abandoned, with James
running from the scene when he was shot.
The senior police officer noted that during the chase shots were fired from the
Vitara at the police vehicle leaving two bullet holes as proof.
All these factors will become part of the investigation now underway.
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