Suspect arrested after killing and cop standoff
Suspect arrested at scene at hostage situation in West Bay, Grand Cayman 28 Jan 2017
(CNS): A West Bay man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and a major investigation is now underway after a local man was shot dead at Super C’s restaurant at around 3:00 Saturday afternoon. Soon after allegedly gunning down the victim, the suspect gunman fled to a nearby relative’s house, where he barricaded himself in with two women and two children. He then fired on police when they arrived at the scene of the shooting as they tried to administer first aid to the dying man.
A stand-off then took place that lasted around three hours as the gunman held his own family members hostage in the house close to Super C’s, on Watercourse Road in the vicinity of Duxies Lane. Police made contact with him and he asked to speak with a local officer whom he knew. That officer was called in and he succeeded in talking him down before the situation escalated any further.
Meanwhile, although police have not yet confirmed the victim’s identity, unofficial sources have revealed that he is Mark ‘Hubba’ Seymour, also from West Bay. The 39-year-old was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the George Town hospital.
Speaking to the media on Saturday evening in the wake of what police had described as a very dangerous situation, Police Commissioner Derek Byrne said that although the investigation is in the very early stages, the killing was not gang-related. He said all indications were that this was a domestic dispute between the two men, who were well known to each other.
CoP Byrne said none of his officers were hurt when they were fired on and they did not return fire. Following the suspect’s arrest, the armed officers recovered a firearm from the house where the West Bay man had taken refuge.
Sources tell CNS that the dispute was over a woman known to both men. It is understood that the gunman’s elderly mother was one of the relatives in the house where he barricaded himself in. Since the suspect’s arrest, the family members have been placed under police protection and a liaison officer assigned to them as well as Seymour’s family members. Although the police did not confirm that this was the suspect shooter’s home, they were keen to stress that it was a house with which he had direct family connections and it was not a random property.
After his arrest, the 38-year-old suspect was taken into police custody and is being detained at the Fairbanks Detention Centre, where he is being questioned. The commissioner said that although this may be a domestic-related killing and not gang-related, because of possible tensions between the families and friends involved police patrols will be increased in the area.
As the gunman surrendered to police and emerged from the house, family and friends of the victim were at the scene and they angrily called for armed officers to shoot him as they claimed it would stop the tit-for-tat violence.
Speaking about the police operation, Byrne commended his officers, who he said were able to safely contain a situation that could have very easily escalated. He said the local officer who was able to bring the gunman out of the house unarmed was off duty at the time but he came to the scene, and with the help of the 911 Communications Centre, he was able to speak directly to the suspect.
Significant numbers of police were deployed in the early stages of the standoff, many of whom were off duty, as well as the helicopter, but gradually, as the situation was contained and the suspect arrested, the armed officers stood down.The police remained at the crime scene Saturday night as scenes-of-crime officers began work at Super C’s and the house.
Witnesses to the incident are asked to contact the police on 949-4222 or the RCIPS Confidential Tip Line at 949-7777. People can also call the Miami-based call centre of Crime Stoppers at 800-8477(TIPS), or visit the website here.
Category: Local News
Shame on Cayman 27 and CNS for even writing who the victim was, coming from unofficial sources. If police didn’t comfirm it then you shouldn’t post it. Not all family members may have been notified. How would you feel if you found out a relative died as you read an article? Have a heart.
Well done RCIPS for handling this situation the way you guys did. Round of applause!
WTH is going on man. Sick and tired of hearing about the crime and violence! This is not Chicago!
Don’t worry, all you have to do is wote for Mac and he’ll fix the social problems he says he’s been working on for the past 30 years.
From some of the post on here some appear very indifferent to the level of violence now prevelant in Cayman. Instead of helping to transform or curb it. They appear to be enjoying and deriving some benefit from its terrible consequences. We definately do not need those types here in what ever capacity especially law enforcement units.
Where are all these guns coming from??? why is no one trying to stop them from coming in?
May be we need more gun laws…Then the criminals (The ones that have the guns) will finally realize we really really Really mean it this time.
The real trouble with ignorance 106pm 116pm is when it goes along it picks up confidence.The pervasiveness of our imported law enforcement help in helping and assisting their very own fellow countrymen to come here and sell their drugs and guns with impunity in order to help those back a yard is very clear by the increase gun related incidents and lack of gun shipment seizures. It took nearly three months to find Mr Barrett on this little island who for some odd reason had his sentenced reduced. i wonder how that came about??? As for your local favoritism comment that appears to be the fashion these days for those who have come here and their compatriots from overseas in order for them to get a hand up. The real problem if you really want to know the truth is too many of you are here that are too familiar or acustom to this type and level of violence to the detriment of Cayman and for your good.
Thanks CNS for bringing back the Like, Dislike, Lol and Troll bars!
And the PC brigade wants to release these monsters from prison early!
WTH is happening there on Watercourse Road??
It was a domestic polticans and super c have nothing to do with it..could have happening any where
Please don’t turn a blind eye. This is something to be concerned about. Just think the kids that were involved are growing up with this kind of family life and they’ll struggle to act different themselves as they are not seeing any kind of appropriate behavior in how to deal with relationship situations.
RCIPS has already suggested that this shooting may not have been gang-related but domestic. That is the case with most of these shootings – they occur over girlfriends, motorcycles, boat-engines, etc. Many have been mis-labeled as being
“gang” related.
While, I imagine, curbing unpredictable domestic violent crime is much harder than gang-related tit-for-tat, it is helpful that RCIPS has correctly identified the reason for this latest shooting. It may help with their tactics of how to address it.
Violent domestic crime happens everywhere in the world, but the prevalence of guns in Cayman has caused it to be become an increased danger to society.
I heard the police helicopter was there all the time, and being shot at? But it also stayed. Great work.
Crime central….. passing photos of a dying man is despicable.
I just don’t understand how someone at that restaurant when this guy got shot could just immediately whip out their phone and take a picture of the dead man, then take a picture of his daughter screaming over him, and run and post it online. But that is what someone did, apparently. These pictures have been forwarded to me and they are grotesque. I told the sender never to send me such things again. What is wrong with people? Did they see if they could help, or just spectate like vultures?
Vultures
Since the grotesque pictures are already on the internet, please forward them to our four worthless politicians we have down here in West Bay, so they can see what they have created by turning our community into a Welfare District – State.
They have allowed the violence to fester by supporting the criminals and their families with free housing, free vouchers for food at Fosters, free health care, free 345’s to drink and extra hand out money to purchase Ganja and Cocaine.
All for votes – Shame on You McKeeva, Shame on You Bernie, Shame on you Tara and Shame on You Capt Whogene.
Wow…. why when anything happens we quick to blame the politicians, when the politicians has nothing to do with it. When the people don’t know nothing of the situation at hand. I wonder how the MLA’s would have prevented a jealous outrage. I am not defending the political members, but please inform me how they could of prevent such outcome. The victim in this case was in no need of money, actually he was about to receive a large sum of money from a land sale.
People please let stop speculating and stop blaming people that has nothing to do with it. Blame the persons who is directly responsible.
I like this post. The person called it as it is.
I agree. It is disgusting that people react in this way. Have we lost our humanity? Do we now observe and post rather then empathise and help? Very disturbing.
I totally agree. I also got the photos was very upset as Mark was a friend of mine. I can’t people could be so cold-hearted to take photos on him dying in front of his daughter instead of trying to help. My Gawd why not try and help???? To whomever took these photos, just hope someone does not do the same to you in your last hours. Have your family and friends see it posted online. You are cold-hearted and have no soul.
RIP Mark. My condolences to your family and friends.
Fantastic job to the RCIP and 911. It’s clear that without their good response there could have been more dead. They have been really on their toes and their response was impressive. We need to acknowledge them when they get it right.
What is going on down there??? I pay attention to what’s happening on the island because of a vested interest, but news on crime is not what I’m looking for and it seems to be a daily issue. I understand there’s no part of the world that’s immune to thugs and violence, but it is concerning how quickly things have escalated there.
These islands exist on the same planet as the US, Honduras, Jamaica, everywhere else. I get tired of hearing people feign shock at these happenings and act like this place is an oasis from the crap that is happening everywhere. It is not. Firearms and drugs are trafficked everywhere around us, of course more guns are going to make their way here. It’s not rocket science and we can’t reverse it. Tourists can’t even remember to take loaded firearms out of their luggage, for Christ’s sake! It’s the world we live in now, stop crying for the past and stop tearing down the cops and border security people at every turn and give them the support they need. They are what is going to save this place, not the politicians, and not the whiners.
Did you really believe that the tourist forget a loaded gun? Come on get real, the tourists are hearing about the mugging, shooting, robbing, etc, so why shouldn’t they not come packing?
Meh, relax. It’s mostly just at one restaurant.
Leave us alone and run with your vested interests to milk another country and people. Enough said, No need reply.
To milk another Country? Foolish!
My vested interest is property that is managed by a CAYMANIAN, that’s kept clean by CAYMANIANS who own a cleaning biz, and the tax to renters (or your political grab in the picket fee) goes back to your country. This is a common scenario playing out all over your island. Shall I move that to another island? Sure, you guys will find a way to make up with it considering all the employment opportunities there, correct?
Am I still milking? Or did you open mouth and insert foot??
What are they waiting on to shut this place down. It is the scean of too many shootings and stabbings. Are they waiting until one of their own is gunned down?
Do not be too concerned, 9:18. We have very strict gun laws here. It is against the law to have a gun, and there’s a mandatory seven year jail sentence if caught with one. If anyone were found to have even one round of ammunition on their person or in their luggage they would be heavily fined, if not put in the slammer for seven years. It may not be quite as safe as New York percentage-wise, but come on down! The government needs the money!
Grand Cayman are gone to Crime and part of it is Govt, fault for they made the human RIGHTS law too easy punishment for the criminals and that law is only for the criminals for the good people don’t need that law for they are good abiding folks, goes to work on time and works hard and behave themselves
Its time to hold those responsible for this terrible mess responsible Commissioner Byrne especially those who keep getting promoted in other law enforcement departments who are responsible for this terrible criminal situation we now have to face. Stop importing law enforcement staff from jurisdictions who are in worst positions than us which only adds to our worstening gun and drugs situation. My condolences to the victim’s friends and family.
And you think “imported” law enforcement is the problem, eh? Both the victim and suspect were locals, allegedly fighting over a woman, which is about as Caribbean as it gets. How many domestic attacks with a machete are there here every year? C’mon now, there aren’t machete attacks in England and Ireland, this is home-grown. Take responsibility. From what I see he was on the scene cleaning up the local mess.
8.05am how on earth can you blame expatriate policemen for this violence. It’s a home grown problem and do you really think you can cure this problem with a 100% Caymanian police force which will necessarily be poorly educated and related to all these criminals.
The Thin Blue Line, whatever you knock them for, always have to be the ones coming forward as everyone else runs back. Great credit to the uniform support group again, and also kudos to the officer who talked him out.
Ditto!!
Not gang related. But it soon will be.
Shut down that ghetto bar and the criminals will have no where to hang out!!
They will find somewhere else. It’s not as easy as shutting down a crappy restaurant, unfortunately.
Not a bad idea and have McKeeva and Captain Whogene allow them to hang out at their own residences in The Shores and Captain Allie Drive.
I’m sure they won’t go short of 345’s to drink there.
mckeeva…. the leader of west bay…..
keep voting for him………..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Super C’s should be closed down!
And I bet my “virgin ass” you will hear these good for nothing politicians down here in West Bay claiming on Monday morning that they were trying to calm down the situation before it happened or they now have a “grand plan of intervention” to try and ease the tensions down here in the district.
Absolute good for nothing and over paid politicians down here in West Bay. All four of them should have their own shit thrown in their faces on the upcoming campaign trail !!
I can tell you as someone who was there, Mac and Bernie were nowhere to be seen.
In West Bay, Vote for Mervyn…..Paul…..Laura and ANYONE other than the 4 that are in now. And don’t worry, as a George Towner, the ones up here can count there days as well….it is crying time for PPM and UDP, their time is drawing nigh.
I’m pleased to inform all that my “virgin ass” remains a virgin.
As expected, McKeeva was on Cayman 27 News this evening claiming that a scientific study needs to be done about the crime in the Cayman Islands and in particular the West Bay district.
Mac……. that was already done years ago but as long as you keep XXXXX, nothing will change in the district.
Bernie, Tara and Whogene, which grab hole have you all gone and stuck your head into ? We can’t hear you.