Barbados Police Kill Young Man In Shootout

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, February 27, 2019 (CMC) – Police shot and killed an 18-year-old youth, during a shootout in a densely-populated village in St Michael, south west of here, yesterday.

Police said that Kadeem Ifill was one of two men, who had engaged them in the shootout. The other suspect has not been apprehended.

“About 5:35 p.m, the police responded to reports that two men, with guns, were at this location, London Road, Brittons Hill, St. Michael. Two police units responded and upon arrival at the scene, they saw, and were confronted by, two individuals with what appeared to be firearms. The two men started to run, and the police came under attack and, as a result, the police responded. One man fell to the ground, and one loaded firearm was recovered,” the police said, in a statement.

The incident came, the day before today’s National Strategic Consultation on the Social Response to Crime in Barbados.

The event brings together relevant public and private sector entities, faith-based communities, service organizations, as well as the media, to strategize on crime-related matters, including the worrying rise of gun-related crimes.

Last month, Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, warned criminals that her administration will take a zero tolerance approach to crime, as she announced that members of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) would be joining the police in a major operation to reduce crime on the island.

She said that the authorities would be moving, swiftly, to deal with criminal elements, in an effort to wrestle the crime situation, here, which she declared was “nowhere as bad” as in other countries of the region.

“We are not prepared, under any circumstances, to admit that it is business as usual, when eight people can lose their lives in this country in the month of January. We are not prepared, under any circumstances, for people to believe that they can use, or walk around with, guns as if they are toys, as if they are badges of honour,” warned Mottley.