Tensions erupted in The Pine, St Michael, on Thursday morning after residents accused police of firing shots recklessly during a stop-and-search operation near Parkinson Field. Police have strongly denied the allegation, saying the shots were fired after a man allegedly pointed a firearm at officers.
When a Barbados TODAY team visited the scene shortly after the incident, police had cordoned off an area near a cluster of kiosks where the shooting allegedly occurred.
Residents gathered nearby expressed anger and concern, insisting that innocent bystanders were put at risk when officers discharged their weapons in a public space.
One resident, who spoke passionately about the incident, alleged that police had approached a group of men during what appeared to be a random search operation.
According to the resident, one man suddenly fled, prompting officers to open fire.
“This morning the police was coming up the stretch, they stopped, saw five men standing up there, they get out [and] start to search the men,” the resident said. “One man ran off. When the man run off, the police beat shots at the man…head and chest level.”
The resident further claimed that bullets struck nearby property, including a body shop and a radio belonging to someone in the area.
“The man circled the shop and come right back and stand up and say because he had something on he to smoke, he ran,” the resident said. “So he was not no hot wanted man.”
The resident questioned the actions of the officers involved.
Several bystanders said the incident caused panic in the area, with people diving for cover as shots were fired.
“The angle the man run from the police, and the police discharged the shots, there were plenty people in the area that had to duck and scramble for life,” the resident alleged. “People’s life was at risk.”
The individual further claimed that one bullet went through an establishment in the area.
“If somebody was in it getting their makeup or something done, they probably would be injured for sure,” the resident said.
However, police gave a sharply different account in a statement issued late Thursday evening.
The Barbados Police Service (TBPS) said the incident occurred around 10:40 p.m. during a Broken Trident Operation patrol, which included both police officers and soldiers.
According to police, the officers approached a group of men gathered near a business establishment along Field Road, Pinelands, when one of the men fled while pointing a gun at officers.
“One of the men got up and ran to the other side of the road, whilst drawing a firearm, which he pointed in the direction of the officers on patrol,” the police statement said.
TBPS said an officer, “fearing for his safety”, discharged his weapon before the suspect escaped.
Investigations into the incident are continuing and police are urging anyone who witnessed the shooting or has relevant information to come forward.
They are being encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, Police Emergency at 211, or the District ‘A’ Police Station at 430-7242.
(SB)
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