Fugitive Suicide A Hot Topic
By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Wednesday 12th September 2018) – “Vincent Taylor was shot multiple times about his body and died at the scene.”
In a twist of events, such a statement disclosed by Commissioner of Police Ian Queeley- at a press conference held earlier this month- has become a hot topic in the public after an autopsy this week revealed that fugitive Vincent Taylor, 38, took his own life during a shootout with officers and was not fatally wounded by members of a special joint team who hunted the then wanted man.
Police say that after completing the autopsy, Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Valery Alexandrov “concluded that Taylor had multiple non-fatal gunshot wounds and one fatal suicidal gunshot wound to the head.”
It was also indicated that an investigation into his death would be conducted with the provided information that “a coroner’s inquest into his death is expected to be conducted in the near future.”
According to COP Queeley, on Friday 31st August members of the special joint team conducted a search operation for Taylor and acting on information, the team cordoned off an area in Bouncing Hill which had several premises within the cordon and proceeded to search the area.
That team comprised of police officers and members of the defense force.
Information reaching this media house indicates that the shootout which allegedly occurred sometime around 5PM ended before 6PM.
“On the particular premises of the incident where he was located, permission was sought from the owner to enter the premises and once granted, the security forces proceeded. While searching the premises, Taylor was spotted and without hesitation, he proceeded to open fire on the officers. They returned fire. One officer was shot and injured… Vincent Taylor was shot multiple times about his body and died at the scene,” COP Queeley said.
Taylor had been living as a fugitive for over six (6) months. The young man who died two days after his birthday was wanted in connection with two crimes to the public’s knowledge- the August 2018 shooting death of 44-year-old Police Sergeant Leon ‘Shabba’ Powell and a December 2017 armed robbery at a Chinese supermarket in Sandy Point.
Police have indicated that there is evidence linking Taylor to at least two other robberies in the Division B area namely at the Dollar Stretcher store and also recently at another Chinese business place.
Sgt. Powell was shot dead on Saturday 18th August at about 1 AM during an armed robbery at his bar located in his home community of Newton Ground. As investigation unfolded and more information became available, Taylor became the prime suspect.
At the scene where Taylor was killed, Sgt. Powell’s issued weapon-which was used to fatally wound him (Sgt. Powell)-was found.
According to authorities, that gun was used by Taylor in the shootout.