Police say they have established a motive for the shooting death of three people in Belmont on May 16.
“I can say that the investigation has unearthed a motive. Naturally, it won’t be shared, it will be brought out in a court of law. But we were able to establish quite clearly the reason or reasons for the action,” acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Trevor “Buju” Bailey said at a press conference in Kingstown on Monday.
Lesline Davis, 69, Demeon Cumberbatch, 38 and Haynesly Browne aka Joel Browne, 36, were shot and killed in Davis’ Shop in Belmont.
On Monday, Lesroy Ryan, 25, of Lowmans Leeward, appeared in court charged with murder in connection with each of those deaths.
He was also charged with attempted murder in relation to his alleged attempt on the life of Haydon Ballantyne, a 60-year-old labourer, Lorna Davis, a 68-year-old chef, and Bancroft Abbott, a 56-year-old plumber, all of Belmont.
Ryan appeared in court on Monday and was remanded in custody until June 2. He told reporters outside: “Tell them do their investigation right.”
Asked if police believe that the three people killed were targeted, Bailey said that he appreciated the question and the public interest but would not answer.
The trio were killed in Belmont three days after Stephen King aka King-O, 75, was shot and killed in a similar manner at his home in Green Hill.
“The update on Mr. King is that the investigation is progressing nicely and then we are following all leads,” Bailey said.
“The family can rest assured that we will do, as always, a thorough investigation in the matter, and members of the same team that investigated Belmont are also investigating Stephen King,” Bailey said.
King’s funeral was held in Green Hill on Saturday.
At a May 17 press conference, Bailey had said that police had noted some similarities between King’s death and the triple homicide in Belmont.
Asked if the police were able to determine if there was any connection between the deaths, Bailey said, “We are following all leads”.
Surveillance footage of the shooting at Belmont has been circulating on social media.
The video shows Cumberbatch and Browne, who were inside the customers’ section of the shop, being shot even before the shooters entered the businessplace.
One of the men collapsed to the ground while the other slumped as he held the right side of his chest.
About the same time, Davis appeared to jump or fall off the seat she was sitting on behind the counter, as an individual wearing a clown mask with a red nose and a long-sleeved hoodie entered the shop and continued to fire at her.
Shortly after, the shooter appears to be fiddling with the firearm, suggesting that it might have jammed.
As that shooter left the shop, gunfire continued, and almost immediately, a second individual entered the shop through the other door, pointed a gun over the counter and shot Davis repeatedly.
Both individuals then left the shop as the gunfire continued.
Bailey said at the press conference that he was aware of the video.
“… our investigation is not limited to just a video footage,” the senior police officer said.
“Our investigation is thorough and detailed, and as stated on … Saturday [May 17], dots create lines, lines lead us to places, and we are prepared to walk and get there,” Bailey said.
Pain.
“The investigation in progressing nicely”? Is this really a comment from a senior police office? Nicely? How can the dead of a person be nice, through the investigation. These officers need training in public relations. We have established motive? No you are following lead(s) which may help us to establish a motive based on information received. Since the other shooters are still at large and the information ilhas not been corroborated from all parties, a motive cannot be established.
Great job officers
As a concerned citizen, I certainly applauded law enforcement officials for their quick apprehension of possible suspect in the manner in which my fellow compatriots were brutally murdered. However, we (the general population), should be in lockstep with our support for these officers involved with this investigation. Officers, I appreciate you! Good luck going forward.
Lord Jesus , for the sake of Your sorrowful passion, have mercy on SVG and on the whole world. Amen.
Hyacinth slater good joy where? Did the police use forensic to solve the crime? If a video did not exist as in the Harbour front shooting, no one would have been arrested. You have to call it for what it is. Even the Chief fire fighting guru did not finish high school. What fo you take of this? High school completion should have been the very basic to be a RSPF officer. They are simply unqualified.