Root out Police ‘bad eggs’ former minister urges
While most officers serve well, however, the “bad eggs” must be rooted out to ensure public safety, said former government minister Carlos James.
The Opposition Senator made the conclusion during a press conference on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, where he spoke of intended legal action against the State for alleged police excesses against two vulnerable Vincentians, one of whom is Louis Mercury, a senior resident of Redemption Sharpes. Mercury was reportedly shot about seven times at close range by “a uniformed officer of the Special Services Unit” while seeking medical attention at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, stated attorney-at-law James.
He outlined that the shooting on March 29, 2026, at around 8:00 p.m., took place when Mercury went to the hospital to seek urgent treatment for injuries sustained in a prior incident in Vermont.
James said while in a corridor near the male ward, Mercury was approached by a security officer and asked to leave, but refused, stating he would not leave until he had received medical care.
The security guard is alleged to have subsequently enlisted the help of an SSU officer stationed at the facility, who, according to James, approached Mercury, “cranked his firearm,” and discharged several rounds into Mercury’s body.
James described the incident as “shocking and alarming” where a citizen, who posed no threat and did not resist the officer was shot. James further characterized the shooting as a “highly reckless use of lethal force”.
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