A police-involved shooting in Laborie on Sunday in which a young man was injured is currently under investigation.
The superintendent in charge of the Southern Division, Albert Charlery, confirmed that the young man had been conveyed to the hospital for medical attention, had been discharged, and was recovering at home.
Charlery told a press briefing on Tuesday that the police had contacted the victim’s family, who knew what was happening with the investigation.
“I am not sure that any police officer would leave his or her home or the police station that they are attached to with a view of going out there to create any mischief,” he told reporters.
However, Charlery observed that occasionally, situations might require officers to act in a certain way, which they alone can explain and can only come out during an investigation.
He stated that the prevailing circumstances would determine the use of force.
“We, sitting at this table, cannot provide you with the information about what actually transpired,” Charlery told the press briefing.
“It is not for us to sit here and indicate that the police acted correctly or the gentleman did something which was against the law which would have caused the police officer to discharge his weapon. We need to allow for the investigation to take place and at the end of it all, whatever the facts are that are collected in the matter, they will be communicated to the general public,” the senior police officer stated.
Asked whether the victim had mental issues, Charlery responded that the police could not make a conclusive statement.
“An evaluation would have to be done on the individual. We have been hearing this in the media for quite a bit. So it is something that has to be done. So again, in communication with the family, if he happens to be an out-patient of any of the facilities in Saint Lucia, that information can also be provided,” he told reporters.
