Monday, February 25, 2013
(Contains strong language)
By DANA SMITH
Tribune Staff Reporter
dsmith@tribunemedia.net
POLICE confirm they have a suspect in custody in connection with the Friday afternoon shooting by police of a fleeing driver who hit an officer with his car before speeding off from busy downtown Bay Street.
Onlookers described the scene as “pandemonium” and described how shoppers fled in confusion after hearing gunfire. An amateur video of the incident has also been circulating on the web.
The incident took place on Woodes Rogers Walk and Frederick Street shortly after 11am when a police officer attempted to stop the driver of a grey Self Drive Honda who was wanted on a fraud matter, according to police reports.
The driver knocked the officer off his bicycle and sped off, police say. A second officer tried to stop the car but the driver attempted to hit him as well. He was eventually shot by police.
The driver continued his attempt to flee, resulting in a police pursuit onto Market and Cockburn Streets, where the driver abandoned the car and was subsequently arrested.
One man told The Tribune he was “stunned” by what he witnessed, a clothing store employee described how tourists were “hiding in the changing rooms” on hearing gunshots, while an employee of a nearby jewellery store said she heard a gunshot and “saw people running through traffic.”
A video uploaded to Youtube by a witness shows the incident. An officer is seen trying to stop a grey car and repeatedly firing shots at the car’s tyres before the car speeds off, while shocked yells from bystanders are heard in the background.
Police say both the driver and an officer were treated at hospital. A 43-year-old man is in policy custody in connection with the incident.
Comments
Guy says...
Wow....Sad...
Posted 25 February 2013, 1:22 p.m. Suggest removal
atwr says...
sad is right. But seriously Tribune...you'll don't have enough respect for your readers to at least edit out the profanity in the clip or remove the sound?
Posted 25 February 2013, 2:57 p.m. Suggest removal
proudloudandfnm says...
This officer needs to be fired!! WHat a stupid thing to do! Bullets ricochet all the time, an innocent bystander could have been killed. This officer obviously has no common sense whatsoever! I see nothing to warrant firing his gun. This officer is one of the problems in this country, too many of our cops think they're dirty Harry or something. Make an example out of this man and make it known to all police officers, pull your gun and you better have a damn good reason. At no point in this video was the officeris life in jeapordy! THis is just ridiculous!
Posted 25 February 2013, 3:38 p.m. Suggest removal
suedo says...
I am not sure why you think this officer needs to be fired...under any normal review of this situation that officer had the right to use deadly force. The driver of the car used the car to hit one officer off his bike (which would be attempted murder using that vehicle as a weapon). I suspect under the rules of engagement the police can retaliate with deadly force. Instead the officer elected to disable the vehicle by shooting out the tires. He showed restraint as far as I'm concerned. You are the same citizen who cries foul until you need the police or are faced with a gun in your face coming out of your car at night.
Posted 25 February 2013, 4:57 p.m. Suggest removal
Concerned says...
@Proud. So you're suggesting that after the man already knock down an officer and trying to speed off to get away, the other officer is supposed to just let him leave? In most American cities they would have aimed at the man to shoot him directly rather than shooting the tires. A car becomes a weapon once you deliberately use it to try hit someone. He is fortunate that our police are afraid to kill. The headline could have easily read "Fleeing Suspect Killed By Police".
Posted 25 February 2013, 5:33 p.m. Suggest removal
bahamiandude242 says...
Spoken like a true dumbed down know nothing Bahamian. The only thing ridiculous here is your post. I know its cool, and the new fad is to bash police but you should not do so at the expense of making yourself look like a fool. Think about it.
Posted 25 February 2013, 7:25 p.m. Suggest removal
HardasConchshellman says...
It's unfortunate that this had to happen in a major tourist hub, but our law enforcement agencies must do what is required of them to protect, serve and defend all of us as Bahamians.a whole lot of the public purse is spent to train these officers and I'm sure they don't just put a weapon in your hand slap on a uniform and say protect and serve. I hope he gets a medal or something.
Posted 26 February 2013, 7:18 a.m. Suggest removal
Log in to comment