Police at the scene of the shooting on Cowpen Road. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune staff
• THE FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY CAN BE READ HERE
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Senior Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
POLICE shot and killed three men on Cowpen Road on Saturday, after an officer was “ambushed” by a gunman.
Police Commissioner Paul Rolle said: “There was a funeral taking place at the Spikenard cemetery when officers who were on patrol observed a white Honda Accord parked in the eastern section of the cemetery. Officers went on foot.
“As they approached the vehicle, the vehicle drove off. Officers then got back into their vehicle and left. A short while later, driving on Cowpen Road again, they saw the vehicle through a side corner. “They stopped and exited their vehicle. One of the officers approached what we believe to be the driver door, as the vehicle is heavily tinted. As he stood there attempting to speak with the driver, shots began to be discharged from the rear seat.”
Commissioner Rolle said one officer fired shots as two other officers stood guard. He said one weapon, a pistol, was recovered from inside the car.
The police-involved killing comes as people across the world protest police-involved violence against black people. Those protests were sparked by the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed African American man who died in Minneapolis after an officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
Saturday’s shooting also comes just days after a Supreme Court justice warned that pulling the trigger should be a last resort for officers.
Justice Indra Charles made the comment as she ordered the government to pay $22,500 to a man who was shot in his back and buttocks 13 years ago. That $22,500 includes damages and legal costs.
Commissioner Rolle said Saturday’s killings were not like the case which prompted the judge’s comments.
“This was a situation where an officer is ambushed,” he said.
For more on this story, see Monday’s Tribune.
Comments
tribanon 3 years, 10 months ago
It's starting.
sweptaway 3 years, 10 months ago
welcome to Chicago Bahamas
proudloudandfnm 3 years, 10 months ago
You're kidding right? Chicago aint ever had nothing on Nassau. Chicago is amateur hour compared to crime haven Nassau... Lol...
GodSpeed 3 years, 10 months ago
Depends on what parts of Chicago you're looking at. In the South side of Chicago the murder rate is higher than in the Bahamas.
ThisIsOurs 3 years, 10 months ago
We dont know the nature of the incident yet, a robbery gone wrong, a traffic stop, a sting operation... How many died in that "police involved" shooting in Blair? This been happening.
xtreme2x 3 years, 10 months ago
One of the officers approached what we believe to be the driver door, as the vehicle is heavily tinted. As he stood there attempting to speak with the driver, shots began to be discharged from the rear seat.”
do not sound right. why the police not shot? if he was talking to driver, means he was close. OK I GOT IT THE CRIMINALS ARE NOT TRAIN. ONLY THE POLICE.???
ISpeakFacts 3 years, 10 months ago
Good riddance, the less illegal aliens and thugs we have in this country, the BETTER!!!
ThisIsOurs 3 years, 10 months ago
I agree with your statement, "generally", minus the animus snd the good riddance. A large illegal immigrant population will inevitably lead to a whole host of problems, largely due to how poorly they are treated and the natural feelings of anger and hatred it engenders. A boiling cauldron.
The disadvantages of thugs on the street is obvious. And I mean real thugs not just people profiled as thugs because of their look, speech pattern or address.
Where I separate from your point, I think we need to be about trying to integrate and include as many of both groups as we can. Separate the infected and try to heal them. No greater fighting tools than love an inclusion.
DDK 3 years, 10 months ago
The entire episode and its report is nonsensical. Wonder what actually went down? Can't wait to hear Dames' comments....
birdiestrachan 3 years, 10 months ago
This is a very serious and sad situation. They were parked by the grave yard. they left and the police saw them through a corner. What were they doing wrong ? .
The car glass was heavily tinted. When did the Police find out they were known to the Police?
Be prepared to meet your maker. God is a just God and his Justice will prevail. May their souls rest in PEACE
This is all very frightening
birdiestrachan 3 years, 10 months ago
Commissioner Rolle ? I was off the view that other officers were the ones on these scenes and they made press statements.
bogart 3 years, 10 months ago
Still grieving over the beautiful little Bahamian 10 year old child who was murdered a few weekends ago, about 1pm in the Bel Air area. This is an area near to the Cowpen road. This little girl had big dreams to fullfill and be a nation builder and become a teacher.
This little girl was murdered a few weekends ago about 1 pm when vehicle came up to group and some three men from the vehicle opened gunfire on group and this little Bahamian princess with big dreams was murdered.
ThisIsOurs 3 years, 10 months ago
doesn't sound like anyone was ambushed..And it in the title too... why cant we use words correctly? ambush implies the criminals set a trap for an officer which they didnt, they were hiding through a side corner trying to evade the officers. sounds like everybody panicked...nothing more dangerous than a scared person with a loaded gun.
RealTalk 3 years, 10 months ago
We want the truth...
We want body cams...
Show us the dashcam videos from them new dodge chargers...
People need to start recording every time they get pulled over. Some police are really on a power trip and trigger happy. Is it legal to record the police in The Bahamas during a traffic stop? Can they take your phone if you're recording them?
TalRussell 3 years, 10 months ago
Jesus loves All colours
By defunding the Royal Constabulary - Nassau can be turned into a safer, more peaceful constabulary-free zone. Nod once for yeah, Twice for no?
thephoenix562 3 years, 10 months ago
Stop talking out your ass please.
Giordano 3 years, 10 months ago
It seems like the squad was needing a signal of support from their former suburban chief superintendent of police, now a Police Commissioner who unusually, as a comissioner, came in national television giving the audience the impression that he is lying or hiding the truth. He might be right but left bad impression by not knowing how to put his words together, in the instance of playing the role of a Public Relations officer. He did bad job as such. Now, I believe that will add more fuel to feed the fire already there against the RBPF , and also will lashback at him (The Commissioner) in the next coming days at a high cost (maybe his post) but much less than those three young men who lost their life once again at the hand of the RBPF. The lack of no having rubber bullets available to the RBPF, is not a reason to make the trigger so happy to keep killing people systematically in the country of so many Churches. I always say, in The Bahamas the RBPF has failed to address minor complaints, and above all, they exercise the "Wrong Approach To Crime," for so long stationary time. in this case, once again "Body Camera," as part of the Police Uniforms , it's lacking. Badly needed. And the entire institution is now swimming in a pool of Slackness of all types. Meanwhile crimes and scandals everywhere in the nation are taking place, even as we talk. Anyone as the head of a house is responsible for whatever happens in that house So is the Head Of Estate also responsible to whatever happens in the nation. Let's be clear about it. If you vote Stupid, you get Stupid. This is about Public Safety and Quality Control at all levels.
TalRussell 3 years, 10 months ago
Ma Comrade, how does it make for safer have military-styled constabulary patrolling in neighbourhoods in vehicles, out itching to engage in a shoot to kill gunbattle? Increasing the firepower is not an effective method of reducing crime, especially when the constabulary becomes a more violent threat. ... Hasn't it become clear that that relying on the constabulary isn't as necessary as we once thought, and that we might even have safer neighborhoods without them? It has to begin first with the hiring of a "civil," community policing minded Chief of the Constabulary to commence with the defunding of the militarisation of the colony's spun out of control constabulary. Nod once for yeah, Twice for no?
Porcupine 3 years, 10 months ago
Tal, you are entirely right on this one. We are shackled by our thinking. Time to quit trying the same thing over and over, expecting a different result.
John 3 years, 10 months ago
O don’t worry about us being shackled. Worry about dem or gonna who did the shackling. You will be around to see your world come tumbling down. Soon
John 3 years, 10 months ago
Clamshell 3 years, 10 months ago
Let it be said, on the record: I agree with TalRussell.
RealTalk 3 years, 10 months ago
Agreed.
John 3 years, 10 months ago
Was it this year or last year when police killings were exceeding the amount of murders . And now, for some strange reason, police has found the need for mass slaughters. The entire country got locked down for 11 Corona deaths. How many police involved killings were there this year. 16? 17, 18? Marvin Dames and Hubert Minnis, by extension. YOUR POLICE FORCE is more deadly in this country than Corona
John 3 years, 10 months ago
A white cop kneels on the neck of a subdued suspect, virtually posing for the cameras as he sniffs the life out of the young Black man. That’s called racism. Black police officers rush up on a vehicle with three young men, known to them, and riddle the car with bullets, killing all three young men, who had criminal records but no violent offense. Then they call is self defense. ‘In fact they claim one police officer was ‘ambushed ‘ and in fear for his life. Maybe they have too many police officers on the force who are too i’in fear of their lives’ , to wantonly kill three young men in the brightness of the dun
Porcupine 3 years, 10 months ago
Were you there?
John 3 years, 10 months ago
And neither were you. So that’s exactly the point dumb ass or maybe you is on of dem agents who soon get exposed ay?
xtreme2x 3 years, 10 months ago
I THINK IT IS TIME FOR THE POLICE TO START WEARING CAMERAS. IT IS ALSO TIME FOR LAWS TO REFLECT THAT IT IS THE LAW FOR PEOPLE TO VIDEO ANY ACTION OF THE POLICE, AND IF PROVEN THAT A OFFICER TAKE A PERSON PHONE FOR VIDEO TAPING THE SCENE, TO DESTROY EVIDENCE. THAT OFFICER SHOULD BE PENALIZED FOR THEIR ACTION.
THERE IS ALWAYS 3 SIDES TO ANY STORY. RIGHT NOW WE ARE ONLY GETTING THE POLICE SIDE.
ALL OF YOU WHO ARE QUICK TO PENALIZE THE HAITIANS. IT MAY START WITH THE HAITIANS, BUT ONE DAY IT WILL HIT HOME...JUST SAY THAT WE DEPORT ALL THE HAITIANS FROM HERE. DO YOU THINK THE ROBBERIES AND OTHER CRIME ACTIVITIES WILL CEASED? THE POLICE WILL HAVE TO HAVE OTHER VICTIMS THE KILLED.
Upvote0
John 3 years, 10 months ago
One policeman did all the shooting.’ So how many rounds does his weapon carry. There’s soon going to be a serious revelation of the police force. It will span back at least three commissioners and some twenty years. Some police officers will go to jail ( yes some who have already left the force) for murder. Others will be forced to resign and others will be demoted. Some high, unsuspecting people will be implicated. Remember, the (this) enemy doesn’t do dirt and Not keep records.
Porcupine 3 years, 10 months ago
Hey John, For your info, I would defund the police in a massive way. But, if you are waiting to be called on by your country to provide educated, sensible commentary from an adult mind, it may be best to move on to something you do well, or at least better..
John 3 years, 10 months ago
Yes our first approach is to stop letting so many agents with millions in fund money infiltrate our government and our police and other armed forces and turn them against their own people . Giving the false impression that the lil, Black boy on the street Viber poses a major threat to society when Billions of yin’s of drugs, cocaine included, valued at trillions of dollars is smuggled annually and few, if any, arrests, if any If major drug smugglers are made in the consuming countries . And while the skyline of these countries change daily as more and more skyscrapers line it with obviously what is illicit and drug money , they crack down on small striving nations, such as The Bahamas, and pressure and squeeze them in every such way, so as to make it near impossible for citizens to survive. This too will end.
John 3 years, 10 months ago
It started back in the 1970’s you know. What did the Kissinger report say about ‘niggers and guns?’
GodSpeed 3 years, 10 months ago
Don't know what he said, why don't you tell us?
John 3 years, 10 months ago
Why don’t you read the document. See what it says about controlling a country’s food and water supply. It’s communication systems and power supply.
TalRussell 3 years, 10 months ago
When it becomes harder for the PopoulacesOrdinary to tell the differences between the firepower the street thugs and the responding protectors it's time for the Queen to instruct her governor-general to forthwith commence with the defunding, demilitarising and civil hire into the management ranks the colony's constabulary? It's time to shelve policing as a politically mandated substantive cabinet responsibility? Nod once for Yeah, Twice for No?
Shelly22 3 years, 10 months ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
My2Cents 3 years, 10 months ago
There’s absolutely no transparency or accountability when it comes to law enforcement in this country. Where’s the body cam footage to prove that? Are they even required to wear them? Will the results of the investigation be revealed to the public? Why is this newspaper and other news outlets taking everything the police says at face value and presenting it as facts without doing the extensive investigations? Smh
John 3 years, 10 months ago
The Bahamas is probably the only country in the world where police can shoot up and kill as many people as they like and they have to say is ‘they were known to police.’ And that is the end of the story. This country doesn’t have white police officers, but if doesn’t mean the 2white, racist agenda is not being carried. But when the head falls, every thing else will follow. Keep praying Bahamas!
tribanon 3 years, 10 months ago
You would shamefully blame your mother being black on racism if you believed you could get away with it. If you're really so concerned about prejudicial and other wrongful police violence, why don't you join the police force and get first hand exposure to the life threatening situations they must confront everytime they go to work? Your racist overtones from the high perch of your keyboard add nothing to the pending investigation of the facts behind this unfortunate incident.
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