Shooting in Ladyville midst a sporting event; woman and minor injured
A sporting event was abruptly interrupted on Sunday night in Ladyville when a gunman fired aimlessly at a crowd comprising of men women and children. A Ladyville resident and a minor were injured in the shooting which sent the residents scurrying for safety. The incident has traumatized the community; thirty-seven year old Arlene Bainton was watching a game at the basketball court when pellets came her way. A sixteen year old who was in front of her at the top of the bleachers was also injured. Both were taken to B.D.F. medical facility, but fortunately their injuries were classified as wounding and they were released. Duane Moody headed to Ladyville today and spoke to the shooting victim.
Duane Moody, Reporting
As families socialized at the Ladyville Basketball Court during a sporting event on Sunday, a lone gunman pulled out a sawed off shotgun and fired shots towards the bleachers. The pellets made their mark on two persons—thirty-seven year old Arlene Bainton and a sixteen year old minor; the crowd ran for cover. While the minor was hit to the chest, lower left arm and left foot, Bainton was hit to the left side of the temple, foot and finger.
Voice of: Arlene Bainton, Shooting Victim
“Me and my family and friends gone over to watch the basketball game. My son mi di play football so the football game mi done and we gone watch the basketball game. I noh know what transpired. Me and my cousin mi di talk and then we hear boom and everybody scattered. And then when I look, I see my foot just start to bleed and the young man behind me get shot ina his chest and his foot. Then wah next young man weh mi deh in front of us, get it in his chin and hand.”
Rural Executive Officer, Assistant Superintendent Christopher Noble, says that the police department was not informed of the function at the basketball court. But since the beginning of the investigation, two persons have been detained for questioning.
Christopher Noble
ASP Christopher Noble, Rural Executive Officer, Police Department
“Somebody went there with what we believe to be a firearm and fired at a group of persons or a person—we are not sure as yet, we are looking into it—and two persons were injured. The two persons were attended to, they’ve been treated, they’ve been released and our investigation into it continues.”
Police say the motive behind the shooting is still under investigation. Bainton says that motive aside, the shooting was unexpected and the experience, a frightening one.
Voice of: Arlene Bainton
“Dah noh like dehn mi atta we, but it just happens that it come fi we way. Dah wah lotta people mi deh pan di basketball court. Over this side dehn had wah team from I noh know weh part of the village. And then over the other side, they had a team from Japan. And then a lot of kids and people were on the basketball court. Everybody mi di watch on because basketball game mi did di play at the time.”
Ladyville police are looking for a third person in connection with this shooting. Duane Moody for News Five.
According to Bainton, a third person was also injured in the shooting, but we were unable to confirm. The residents say the event was organized by area representative Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, but we could not reach her for comment.
