Family of singer shot by police 'are being ignored'

BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – The family of a well-known Bahamian singer who was mistakenly shot and killed by a police officer in Abaco claims their requests for information about the incident have been ignored.

Community activist Troy Garvey, a spokesman for the family, said Tabitha Munnings and Jacqueline Curry, the sisters of Job Munnings, alias ‘‘Mr Versatile”, are desperately seeking answers about his death.

He said they travelled to Abaco on February 22, but were refused a copy of police reports concerning the shooting on January 20.

Munnings is well known for his songs, “Holding on, Stay Strong”, “When I Die”, and “Things are Gonna Change One Day”.

He moved from Grand Bahama to Abaco last year.

He was at The Mud – a Haitian community in Marsh Harbour – when he was shot by police during a special police operation. He was 34.

Mr Garvey took grave exception to the “unprofessional and disrespectful” manner in which he said the sisters were treated by a senior officer while in Abaco.

“A senior officer rudely hung the phone up on Ms Tabitha Munnings while she was trying to obtain information about the investigation. She was directed to call another officer.

“This is callous, disrespectful, and very unprofessional of a senior officer to act in this manner, especially to a family that has already been told by the Commissioner of Police that their family member was killed mistakenly.

“The family is still in mourning, and this is how you treat people? To add insult to injury, we went to the Marsh Harbour Police Station to request a police report and we were denied a copy,” said Mr Garvey.

He said the family wants “swift justice” for their loved one – recalling the slogan of one of the PLP government’s campaign promises.

“We want the Minister of National Security, Dr Bernard Nottage, and the Commissioner of Police Mr Ellison Greenslade, to know that we are going to be relentless in our efforts to bring justice to the family of Mr Munnings.

“We are calling for a swift report from the Coroners’ Court, just like the swift one that Mr John Travolta got for his son in 2009.

Mr Garvey said North Abaco MP Renardo Curry has promised the family that he would see to it that the matter receives the attention of the Prime Minister.

Comments

shortpants says...

Why is the Prime Minister involve in these matters .That is why people are place in different departments to do these jobs .That is why he gets tied to a bunch of foolishness that is no concern of his .And makes him look like the jackass that he is .Trust me I'm no fan OF this man because he does not know how to govern. Most of our police are rude and disgusting some one needs to let them watch Boston Finest they need mad training they make the force look like a bunch of Dirty Harry Cops .Fight for you'll family my brother was killed and they knew who the culprits was but did nothing but when the dust settle all of them are going to get the same feeling we had.

Posted 14 March 2013, 3:01 p.m. Suggest removal

larry says...

what is it with my Bahamian people we need to get from out our mental slavery the white man ice is not colder. Is America so great are you saying there is no crime there don't forget their president was killed in broad daylight there what about all the mass killings in their school churches movie theaters has that happened in the Bahamas maybe some of our cops need to go there and train them wake up

Posted 14 March 2013, 5:41 p.m. Suggest removal

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