Police respond to public outcry

The police press relations officer on Tuesday issued a press statement in response to the fatal shooting of a mentally ill man by  the police on Friday August 9. The incident has sparked widespread public debate on the issue particularly the manner in which the police handle calls to subdue such individuals.

According to the release, “while it is not the policy of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force to publicly comment on matters which have the potential to be the subject of judicial proceedings, we none the less, especially in view of the misinformed statements being made, wish to clarify certain aspects of the matter involving 31 year old Mandy Louisy of Chassin, Babonneau.”

The release then listed the facts as follows;

On Friday 9 August 2013 about 12:30am, plain clothed officers attached to the Babonneau Police Station were on patrol in the Chassin area when en route they noted a suspicious looking male individual wearing dark
clothes with a “hoodie”. He also had his hands in his pockets. The officers approached the young man like they would any other  in a similar situation.  The individual was not known to the police.

The officers, stopped the individual, identified themselves to him and thereafter attempted to carry out a search of his person. The individual resisted and in the course of that resistance brandished a knife in a menacing manner at the officers.

While attempting to disarm this individual, a struggle ensued during which one officer discharged a single gunshot hitting him in the upper part of his body. That individual was immediately transported to Victoria Hospital where he was admitted in a critical condition. He subsequently succumbed to his injuries about 11:00 am.

That individual was subsequently identified as Mandy Louisy of Chassin, Babonneau.

The round discharged entered Mr. Louisy’s body from the front.

Whilst the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force understands the family’s and indeed the public’s concern and need to get the facts behind what transpired, such concerns ought not to be expressed in a manner
that is contrary to what happened.

According to the press relations officer the police have followed proper protocol in the investigation of this matter to which end, a post mortem examination has been undertaken and the results transmitted to both the police and members of the decease’s family.

“It is of course improper for the police to make public the contents of this report
but as stated earlier, members of the family are in possession of the documents and are therefore fully aware of the their contents,’ she wrote.