The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

AN off duty police officer shot and killed a man late on Tuesday night after he allegedly “pointed an object” at the officer while at a nightclub off Faith Avenue.

However, police have not said if a weapon was recovered from the scene.

According to police reports, around 8.30pm, a police officer was at a nightclub when he received information that a man was at the back of the club with a firearm.

The officer went to the back of the club where he saw a man who pointed an object at him. The officer ordered the man to drop the object, but, according to police, he refused to do so.

The officer, in fear for his life, shot the suspect with his police-issued firearm, a statement from the Royal Bahamas Police Force said. The man was then taken by ambulance to hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

The matter has been turned over to Her Majesty’s Coroner for investigation.

Acting officer-in-charge of the Central Detective Unit, Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander, said the officer has not been suspended, but was given a few days off “to recover from the traumatic incident”.

“He has taken a couple days off, something like that can really stay with someone,” Chief Supt Fernander said.

“But he has not been taken off active duty. The officer was off duty at the time of the incident, but police officers are never really off duty. We are investigating the matter and we will provide the public with information when it becomes available.”

When asked if a weapon was recovered from the dead man, Chief Supt Fernander said he “couldn’t say”.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.