The St. Vincent Police have confirmed that a mentally ill man was shot and killed last week, bringing to two, the number of persons shot and killed by police since the start of the new year.
The Police Public Relations and Complaints Department said officers responded to a report “of a mentally ill man armed with a weapon…behaving [in an] aggressive manner.
“On arrival at the scene, the police met Errol Walker with several weapons. The police spoke to him and asked him to drop the weapons. Mr. Walker rushed towards the police and attacked. An officer sustained an injury to his face. In self-defense, an officer fired his weapon and injured Mr. Walker in his hand and abdomen” the statement said.
It said Walker and the officer were taken to the Georgetown Hospital for medical attention, where Walker was later pronounced dead by the district medical officer.
The police statement said members of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) have been trained and continue to receive training “in dealing with patients suffering from mental health issues.
“These sessions are conducted by staff at the Mental Health Centre. In addition, the topic of Mental Health is part of the curriculum at the Police Training School,” the statement said, adding that Commissioner of Police, Colin John, had extended condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
“Following a thorough investigation into the matter, a coroner’s inquest may be held to ascertain the circumstances surrounding Mr. Walker’s death,” the statement said.
Walker’s death followed that of Seage John who was shot by law enforcement officials during an operation on January 1.
They said John was armed with a gun and fired shots at the police.
“The police returned fire and the gunman was shot in the process. He was transported to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital for medical attention. He was later pronounced dead by the district medical officer,” the statement said.
But John’s family has held a protest in the capital, questioning the police account of the killing.
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