NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Data released by the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) yesterday revealed that police-involved shootings have decreased by more than half for the first six months of the year compared to the same period last year.
According to crime statistics released by Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson, there were 13 police-involved shootings between January 1, 2019, and June 30, 2019, compared to the five in the same period this year.
Police-involved shootings have been the subject of heated public debate.
Ferguson has repeatedly indicated that criminals who confront law enforcement agencies risk their lives.
He made a similar statement yesterday at police headquarters when asked about the matter.
There have been six police-involved shootings for the year.
A man was shot by police on John Road in Bains Town on July 17.
The man was transported to hospital, but later died of his injuries.
According to reports, shortly before 1 p.m. officers, who were conducting an operation on John Street in Bains Town, encountered a man selling drugs.
Authorities said the man was armed with a gun and “engaged the officers”.
The officers shot the man.
An illegal firearm and an undisclosed quantity of drugs were recovered from the scene, police said.
On May 17, police shot and killed three men in a Newgate Road home in Blair Estates after the men opened fire at officers who had attempted to execute a search warrant.
Following the shooting, Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip Brave Davis called on the government to hire an independent company to investigate the incident.
On May 13, a police officer shot an armed suspect on East Street.
According to authorities, shortly after 11 a.m., the officer, who was driving on East Street south, observed the man approaching a restaurant in a “suspicious manner and armed with a firearm”.
The officer attempted to arrest the man and “as he attempted to arrest him, the man was shot”.
Officers recovered the suspect’s firearm.
In March, police shot and killed and man on Graham Drive, Yellow Elder Gardens.
The man reportedly matched the description of an armed man in the area.
When officers approached the man, he opened fire on the them, police said.
The officers returned fire, hitting the man, identified as Shanton Forbes, 21.
A Glock 9mm pistol with an extended clip was recovered from the scene.
On February 6, police shot a man on Joe Farrington Road, Haitian Village.
Officers conducting an operation in the area sought to arrest the man, who reportedly charged at police with a knife.
