Dangriga Resident is Shot by Police

Joseph Myvett

A criminal and internal investigation is ongoing in Dangriga following the police shooting of a gunman on Saturday morning. Thirty-nine-year-old John Elijio was shot to the right leg around four a.m. by an officer as he reportedly attempted to retrieve a firearm from his waist. Assistant Commissioner of Police Joseph Myvett says that the police patrol spotted a suspicious Elijio and when they intercepted him, it ended with the officer taking out his licensed police issued weapon and firing a single shot at the gunman. A Smith and Wesson firearm was discovered on Elijio, who has since been treated and released and remains in police custody.

ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch

“A struggle ensued between this male person later identified as John Elijio, thirty-nine years of a Dangriga Town address. During the struggle, according to the officers, Mister Elijio went to his pants waist with his right hand attempting to retrieve something from his pants waist. And as a result, the officer, fearing for his life, fired one shot towards him which caught him on the left upper leg. A search was then conducted on him which resulted in the discovery of a chrome in colour Smith and Wesson nine-millimetre pistol loaded with twelve rounds of ammunition. He was transported to the Southern Regional Hospital where he was treated and is now detained pending charges.”

Reporter

“What was the reason why he was stopped and searched?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“According to the officers he was behaving in a suspicious manner to them and as a result, they decided to stop him and conduct a search on him.”