PM Gonsalves – Shooting death of Hamilton very unfortunate

Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr Ralph Gonsalves has reacted to the shooting death of Anthony “Scarface” Hamilton, saying that the incident is very unfortunate.{{more}}

Speaking on Tuesday, just hours after Hamilton was shot and killed by police, after allegedly trying to escape custody, Gonsalves said that he was yet to receive a written report.

He said that he was expecting that Commissioner of Police Keith Miller would provide him with a report of the details of the incident.

Gonsalves, however, disclosed that Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sidney James, Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), had been given the task of investigating the matter.

“It is unfortunate when any individual meets his death in a sudden or unnatural manner,” Gonsalves said.

He explained that he spoke as a human being and that although a person may have certain antecedents which may not predispose them to be your friend, that one should be not saddened because it is a life that has been lost.

Hamilton was reportedly shot and killed by police during a visit to the washroom on the lower floor of the building that houses the Kingstown Magistrate’s and Serious Offences Court at Lower Kingstown Park.

He had appeared before Chief Magistrate Sonya Young about two weeks before on robbery and assault charges and was remanded in custody.

On Tuesday, Hamilton returned for a further remand hearing. It was while he was in the vicinity of the washrooms, having been escorted there by two police officers, that he was shot. (DD)