A security guard at the Kingstown Co-Operative Credit Union (KCCU) shot one of its members dead on Wednesday during an altercation, allegedly over the member switching lines while doing business at the credit union’s headquarters.
Police have identified the dead man as Shernard Gloster, 47, of Keartons, Barrouallie.
He died in the foyer of the building, close to the exit, after being shot once in the chest, well-placed sources have told iWitness News.
The security guard, who is employed by Guardsman SVG Ltd., is said to have fired the fatal round from the pistol that was assigned to him to execute his duties.
Police identified the shooting victim but did not disclose the identity of the security guard in a statement on Wednesday.
They said he was in custody, assisting detectives from the Major Crime Unit with their investigation.
The statement said that preliminary investigations revealed that at approximately 12:35 p.m., Gloster visited the KCCU office to conduct business.
“During his visit, an altercation occurred between Gloster and an on-duty security guard, resulting in Gloster being fatally shot.”
Police said they responded and the Crime Scene Investigations Unit processed the area and recovered “several items of evidential value.
“Gloster was later pronounced dead at the scene by a medical practitioner,” the statement said, adding that a post mortem is scheduled to be conducted on his body on Thursday.
iWitness News understands that Gloster is based overseas and was visiting his home country for a celebratory event.
Meanwhile, journalist Ashford Peters, writing for Caribbean Independent Broadcasting Service – CIBS, quoted a witness with a heart condition as saying that they almost had a seizure after the security officer shot the customer dead.
“I was trying to take my medication and nearly throw out all the tablets,” the witness told CIBS minutes after the incident.
The CIBS report said the witness was in line in the cashier/teller section when the incident occurred.
The witness said there was an argument between Gloster and the security guard after the security guard accosted the customer about switching from the customer service line to the cashier/teller line.
“A tussle ensued and the security guard forcefully removed the customer from the main office to the foyer area. In that area, there was a scuffle between the two. The security guard drew his firearm and allegedly shot the customer,” CIBS reported.
“After the customer was shot, the security guard let him go and he fell on the stairs. His body soon became lifeless,” the CIBS report further stated, adding that a number of people gave similar accounts of the incident.
Police are asking people with information to telephone 999 or 911, (784) 457-1211, (784) 457-1211 Ext. 4876, or (784) 456-1810.
Credit union issues statement
In a statement published on its Facebook page Wednesday night, KCCU said it “regrets to confirm that an incident occurred at our headquarters, on July 9th, 2025, which resulted in the death of one person”.
The credit union said operations at its Kingstown located were halted immediately, and the office was closed for the remainder of the day.
“We are profoundly saddened by the loss of life and extend our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident,” the credit union said.
It said that the “safety, dignity, and well-being of our members, staff, and the wider community remain our priorities. We have engaged counselling and support services for our employees and other affected persons”.
The statement noted that the police force is conducting investigations into the incident “and we await the outcome of these investigations.
“We understand and appreciate the public’s concern and solicit your forbearance at this time.”
No less less than 20 years in prisonment
Your life wasn’t in danger or anyone else
Gun made you powerful..still not right to kill the man
Tragically, a man has lost his life [allegedly] by a security guard’s bullet, let’s now see what those who are supposed to practise and uphold the law is going to do about it. My condolences to the family of the deceased.
Smh this is one bunch of crap. So he switched lines so what people do tbat all tbe time and arguement started so what people argue all the time a trussle started thats where i get concern who started tbe trussle . This man was there to conduct bussiness and losses his life how? Yes the guard was doing his job . But his job is not to kill . I hate nonsense. I will keep ask did he have to draw his weapon really. My condolences to the family.
So foolishly one life has gone .Why black peoples has to always resolve conflict with injury or death. It’s so sad, just a third person could have talk peace before it gets deadly. It’s a shame. All you witnessed incident and says nothing will have to live with the guilt.
Every position in society needs training. Our schools are well positioned to provide such. Lining up for service at all events will indicate how well we are becoming responsible and respectful. We have a tendency to think that only lawyers and doctors need the best education but the rest of us need just as much attention to perform our duties professionally.
Hope the security guard could justify killing the customer. Apparently the customer was un armed. Hope the cameras caught the incident. Hope there’s a thorough investigation. A customer switches lines and is killed and we cry that we as black people are being targeted by the police, especially in predominantly white countries,however, we do the same thing to one another as black people. As a black man ,I should feel safe among my own people, but sadly that’s not the case at all. The police has to do a better job when issuing firearms to security firms,etc. In my opinion, this security guard was trigger happy.
Every member/ share holder should withdraw their shares.
Guardsman ,what type of training do you give these guys?
Most of them are functionally illiterate.
Why dont our police behave that way..
Whilst everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I think it’s important to get all the facts before laying it on anyone. I get that the situation escalated, but maybe during that scuffle, the customer may have tried to unarmed the security guard and that tragedy happened. Maybe it was something else also, but it’s important to get as much evidence both from the standbyers and or CCTV. Remember, you’re innocent until proven guilty 😔
Many times, I visit Financial Institutions and observed armed Guard not alert. Browsing phone, idle conversations with female, leaning, unprofessional body posture etc. are some of my observations. Un arm Guards a Supermarkets packing baskets, returning shopping carts, directing parking, going to the back to check on bread, etc. I really don’t think none of the above chores belong to Contracted Security Guards. In house security I can look the other way. Supervisors, please take note.