The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are investigating a pepper-spray incident in Andros said to have left dozens of people, including tourists, screaming and jumping into sea.

One women, witnesses said, suffered an allergic reaction and had to be airlifted to New Providence for treatment.

The incident reportedly happened around 2am on Sunday at Hank’s Place in Fresh Creek, Andros, where 150 people had gathered for a “dance”.

A witness, Marvin Campbell, told The Tribune that as attendees were trying to leave the restaurant a man sprayed pepper-spray into the building, causing “pandemonium”.

“I got hit directly in my face,” he said. “I was down for about 20 minutes. When I came up I saw tourists jumping into the water trying to get the chemical off their skins. People were on the floor crying and screaming. It sent the place into chaos. Gunshots were also firing off.”

Mr Campbell said police officers were at the restaurant but did not arrest the man who sprayed the substance.

“Police were right there and they failed to do their job,” he said. “And some of us, about 18 to 20 people, went to the police station to make complaints. They took some of our complaints and they turned the rest of us away. We want justice because they haven’t locked the person up.”

“You should see the tourists crying, trying to figure out why he would do such a thing. I heard some of them say this was the worst experience they’ve ever had in their life.

“The police are being very tight lipped about it,” said Mr Campbell, adding that he flew back to New Providence on Sunday to seek treatment.

“The police scared to lock these people up,” he added.