Shots rang out in the quiet of the night at the Male Surgical Ward of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, March, 19, 2024 as an attempt was made on the life of a male patient who had been shot the previous day.

“ An immediate and coordinated response from the RSVGPF High Command,” which led to the deployment of specialized units, “including the Narcotics Unit (DS), Rapid Response Unit (RRU), and the Special Services Unit (SSU),” not too long thereafter led to the capture of two suspects,Courtney Phillips of Edinboro, and Glenroy Miller of Ottley Hall. Phillips, 25, appeared at the Kingstown Magistrates Court yesterday, Thursday, March, 21,2024 on an ammunition charge to which he pleaded guilty and was fined $2,000. Miller, who sustained “a self-inflicted wound” is currently in police custody, having been discharged from the MCMH where he received treatment for his injury. The target of the shooting,  Connel ‘Skiddo’ Westfield escaped death by the gun on Sunday March 17,2024 but was shot around 11:25 p.m as he lay in hospital where he was being treated for gunshot wounds to his abdomen; he remains in hospital.

The police said initial findings suggest that an unidentified individual bypassed security measures at the checkpoints of the hospital and gained unauthorized access to the hospital grounds. “This person was seeking a particular male patient and, upon locating him, discharged a firearm twice at the individual before making an attempt to escape the vicinity,” the police said.

The incident prompted the Ministry of Health to issue immediate, revised visiting protocols for the affected ward.

In a release issued on March 20, 2024, the ministry said the 11:00 a.m to noon visiting period was being suspended and only the 3:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m period remained in effect.

“Additionally, each patient on the Male Surgical Ward MCMH will only be allowed one bedside visitor during the visiting period. The name of this single visitor will be provided by each patient and must be on a list which will be kept at the security booth at the Kingstown District Clinic entrance to the MCMH,” a release stated.

“The listed visitor must present some form of picture identification to the security officer at the entrance to the MCMH. Once the visitor has been confirmed as being on the list a ‘pass’ will be issued by the security officer at the gate. This pass and the picture ID must be presented to the security officer at the door of the Male Surgical Ward before entry.”

Nurses at the hospital have called for stricter, more sustained security measures at the hospital noting that some nursed have been left traumatised due to the shooting incident.

The police said two firearms were seized during their response to Sunday night’s shooting. They have also appealed to the public to provide any information that can assist in their on-going investigation of the matter and have also issued some reassurance.

“The RSVGPF…wishes to reassure the public that this appears to be an isolated incident, and we are committed to maintaining peace and order. The safety of patients, staff, and visitors to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital is of utmost importance, and measures are being taken to enhance security in and around the facility.”