The Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force says it has launched an investigation into the death of a resident of Pole Yard, Arnos Vale, who they say was shot by a police officer who he attacked with a cutlass.
The police public relations department said that preliminary investigations are that the police officer, who was not identified in the police release, approached Desroy Richards, a 35-year-old male, of Pole Yard, Arnos Vale, at a home in the community about 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Police said Richards was told that he was wanted as a suspect in relation to a Nov. 23, 2016 robbery with a cutlass as well as a series of burglaries.
“It is reported that Richards grabbed a cutlass and attacked the police officer. The police officer immediately fired a warning shot into the air, but Richards continued his charge at the police officer and had to be neutralised. He received a bullet wound to his side and was immediately rushed to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) by police officers,” the police release said.
Richards was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
A post-mortem examination will be carried on the body of the deceased on Thursday.