MIDDLE REGION, Sint Maarten – Law enforcement officials are currently investigating two separate shooting incidents. The incidents, one of which resulted in the fatal shooting of a young man, took place in Middle Region early hursday morning, while another man is being medically cared for at the Sint Maarten Medical Center.
A press release issued by the interim Police Spokesman, Inspector Josepha states: The Sint Maarten Police Force had a busy start to the morning, with two separate shootings that took place on Thursday, February 20th .coincidently in the same vicinity resulting into the second murder of the year being recorded.
In the first shooting, the Central Dispatch directed the Police Patrols to the Middle Region area at approximately 1.50 am to investigate a robbery that had taken place whereby several shots were fired. The victim, who sustained several gunshot wounds to his upper arm, was transported to the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) by private vehicle prior to the police arrival at the scene .
According to the press communiqué, on the scene, officers were informed that during a robbery the suspects fired several shots before fleeing the scene with the victim’s possession. The victim, who sustained a gunshot wound to his upper arm, was transported to the Sint Maarten Medical Center by private vehicle prior to the police arrival at the scene.
The detectives visited the hospital to obtain a statement from the victim with initials J.L.D, who is currently in stable condition. In his statement to the detectives, the victim explained that he was robbed of his motorbike and some jewelry by (2) two male suspects carrying a firearm. This investigation is still ongoing.
Meanwhile, according to the interim Police Spokesman, Inspector Josepha, the personnel of the detective department are also investigating a shooting that also took place in the Middle Region area thirty minutes after the first shooting had taken place.
The Police Patrol and Ambulance department were sent to Elders drive, at approximately 2:30 am, where they encountered a male in a vehicle, He was not showing any signs of life. After conducting a brief investigation on the scene, it was concluded that the victim had sustained several gunshot wounds to his body.
The detectives are currently gathering more information in an effort to ascertain as to what transpired. The identity of the victim is currently being withheld until all families of the victim have been properly notified, the police said.
The detectives investigating both cases are asking anyone with information, to contact the Sint Maarten Police Force, at 542 22 22 ext. 204 or 205 or the anonymous tip line on 9300, Inspector Josepha said.
