By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Wednesday 29th August 2018) – A 19-year-old man from Sandy Point is currently nursing wounds said to consist of injuries to his lungs and other areas after allegedly being beaten and shot by police over the past weekend during investigations into the shooting death of 44-year-old Police Sergeant Leon ‘Shabba’ Powell of Newton Ground.
Police are, however, challenging details shared by Samari ‘Storm’ Webbe, who is at the center of alleged police brutality which has attracted widespread public debate, in claiming that the teenager got shot during a gun struggle between him and an officer while he was in police custody on Friday 24th August.
In a 37-seconds cell-phone video which circulated via social media last Saturday (25th August), Webbe spoke about the encounter he had which “start from in de yard”, involving two police officers, moments before he was going to eat.
That video was taped by a male visitor while he (Webbe) laid in bed receiving treatment at the Joseph N. France General Hospital in Basseterre.
“Afterwards dey come, dey put me on de landing. He put he foot on me head [and] tell me look down on the ground,” he told also.
The video was cut short after a hospital employee-believed to be a nurse- was heard informing Webbe’s visitor that no recording nor picture taking were allowed.
This media house has gathered that the teenager, who originally hails from the sister isle of Nevis, is also claiming that he was he was taken to the Sandy Point Police Station then to a hilly section of the Newton ground community where he was beaten by cops on the way.
Further allegations point to Webbe being shot at and also questioned about what he knew about Sgt. Powell’s murder.
Police are reporting that sometime last Friday morning (24th August), Webbe was taken into police custody for questioning in relation to an ongoing search operation for wanted man Vincent Taylor and that preliminary investigations have revealed that at some point during the questioning, one of the Officers turned to speak with the other and Webbe rushed towards that Officer and held on to his firearm in an attempt to take it away.
“A scuffle ensued and Webbe was shot in the shoulder. He was rushed to the JNF Hospital for medical attention by the Officers where he is currently receiving treatment,” a police statement read.
Reportedly, the Forensic Services Unit and the Violent Crimes Unit both visited and processed the scene and carried out enquiries.
Police say that a parallel investigation will be done by the Office of Professional Standards – the unit responsible for overseeing investigations into all reports involving police officers.
Taylor, 37, who has two given addresses- Sandy Point and McKnight, is currently a prime suspect in relation to the shooting death of Sgt. Powell, 44, who was gunned down at his bar in Newton Ground on Saturday 18th August at about 1:00 AM.
Police are offering a reward of $50,000 for information leading to his arrest and prosecution.
Taylor is also wanted in to connection to an armed robbery which took place in December last year and has been the run since then.