Police say the shooting victim tried to flee law enforcement during a traffic check in Castries City. The driver drove away and eventually abandoned his vehicle. A foot chase ensued, and in an attempt to elude the officers, the suspect discharged his weapon at the officers, causing officers to utilise lethal force.

The suspect is a 30-year-old  resident of Ciceron, Castries, and is currently admitted at a local medical facility in stable condition.

“Initial inquiries have uncovered that the suspect has an outstanding Warrant of Commitment on Conviction for the crime of Possession of Firearm in his name (name to be released following charges). Additionally, the suspect has failed to comply with a Court Order to pay a fine of sixteen thousand dollars (XCD16,000.00) following his conviction. A Taurus pistol and live rounds of ammunition were recovered from his person,” an RSLPF statement disclosed.

This latest seizure of a firearm comes after the RSLPF confiscated 109 illegal arms in 2023. The Police say they will continue to intensify their efforts to reduce the illegal flow of guns into the country. This figure represents an increase in the number of firearms seized in 2022 which was 88.