Police open murder enquiry
(CNS): The West Bay man shot outside a local bar Saturday morning has died and police have opened their first murder enquiry of the year just three days in. Victor Oliver Yates (22), who was found by police outside Super C’s on Watercourse Road early this morning, died at the George Town hospital from his injuries. Police have not revealed any details but are asking anyone with information to contact them as soon as possible at the West Bay Police Station on 949-3999.
Police examined the crime scene for several hours Saturday and a number of shell casing markers were spotted outside of the restaurant. Uniformed officers also searched the grassy area at the rear of the restaurant adjacent to Boatswain Bay Road.
The police, who were called to the bar at around 3:45am following a report of a man being injured, said Yates was found on the ground with at least one gunshot wound. He was taken to hospital but died there later Saturday morning.
Officers have not said what sort of firearm they suspect was used, how many bullets were fired, how many gunmen were involved or if they believe the crime is gang related. They are however seeking the assistance of the public who can also call the anonymous tip line CRIME STOPPERS on 800- 8477. A police spokesperson said a Family Liaison Officer has been assigned to the bereaved family.
You ever notice that nothing really positive rarely happens after midnight?
Why do people feel that they have the right to play “God” with someone’s life and get to choose when someone else lives or dies? I just don’t get it. What ever happened to walking away from a fight? ” It takes a stronger man to walk away that stand there and fight”. And all those people that witnessed that not one person is brave enough to report what they saw? What if it was your brother, father, husband, boyfriend etc. wouldn’t you want someone to be brave ….then why wouldn’t you do the right thing? smh
It’s sad, and it’s all because of this “no snitching” culture that exists for who knows what reason. People would rather not get involved with police even if they did nothing wrong, and it just makes no sense at all.
I think people have started to develop a sort of “vigilante” mentality or they don’t want to come forward out of fear. What it really boils down to is the lack of effectiveness in prosecuting these criminals on the rare occasions they are caught. These people are killers with no regard for human life and it’s hard to come forward, possibly risking your identity and safety when a conviction is not guaranteed and unlikely to happen.
On the other hand, the vigilante mindset comes in to play because once again a conviction is unlikely so people want to take matters into their own hands. They want the person who caused them all this pain to feel the same way and the only way to do that is to inflict it yourself when you know they most likely will be free to roam the streets living their lives and continuing to wreak havoc.
It’s a horrible system/cycle and I can only hope that one day it will change. Too many murders go “unsolved” and too many retaliations happen because of that.
That is why we should have a no tolerance attitude for crime and have harsher penalties!