Nov, 23rd 2007

By Krystel Rolle, Guardian Staff Reporter

krystel@nasguard.com

Murder suspect Samuel McKenzie was gunned down on the morning he was scheduled to be arraigned in the Supreme Court, bringing the murder count up to 69.

However, the drive-by shooting could potentially cause the murder rate to rise to 70 as another man, who was shot several times "about the body" during the incident, was fighting for his life in hospital yesterday. According to police officials, the unidentified man was not expected to make it through the night as the "high-powered weapon" used in the shooting inflicted serious wounds. In total, 28 shots were fired on both men.

McKenzie, 35, who was on bail for murder, was to face charges for attempted escape and causing damage to a cell in the lock-up at Central Police Station.

But McKenzie, better known by the Haitian Creole nickname "Mouche", was killed before he could make it to court for his arraignment before Justice Cheryl Albury. AG prosecutor Allan Emmanuel told Justice Albury of McKenzie's death and as a result, the case was dismissed. He was suspected of killing Patrick Rolle, this year's first murder victim, who was gunned down while coming home from Junkanoo celebrations on New Year's morning.

Assistant Superintendent Walter Evans told reporters that the two victims were on Wilson St. shortly after 9 a.m. when a Green Kia Sportage Jeep approached them.

"It was reported that shots were fired from that vehicle, hitting the two persons. The two males were transported to the hospital by private vehicles and shortly thereafter, upon arrival, McKenzie succumbed to injuries. The other person's condition is listed as critical," Evans said.

Meanwhile McKenzie's mother, Veronica McKenzie, said she would not rest until police found out who was responsible for killing her son.

"I want justice. I don't care who it is, they better get it right and they better fix it before the day is out. No one will rest until I get it solve today. I don't care who it is," she repeated.

"I'm not resting until they solve this crime because the Central Detective Unit thinks Sammy is a criminal and that he committed some crimes. They think because he committed some crimes every time something happens they run for him and say it's Sammy, but they never get their act together. Now they done clean up the mess, I hope they eat him now, because I'm not burying him. The CDU is going to bury him," she said hysterically after claiming that the police shot her son.

Veronica alleged that police officers shot her son several months ago and then again yesterday morning. However, she added that the police were not the only ones after her son, as he had been shot at by another group.

"They kill him. The CDU done shoot my son twice. The first time was Easter Monday night when they put two bullets in him. Now they come here today and they shoot him seven times. I'm not burying him. They took my son away from me."

I don't know why they shoot him but they going to tell me why they shoot my son today," she said.

However, Chief Supt. Hulan Hanna strongly denied those claims. He said based on the information that he received, he was satisfied that the persons who opened fire on the pair were not police officers as Veronica indicated.

"Let me make that abundantly clear to the Bahamian public," he added.

Less than an hour after that incident a green Kia Sportage, suspected to be the getaway car during the shoot-out was found burning in the area of South Street.

ASP Evans said shortly after 10 a.m. the fire department received reports of a vehicle fire and dispatched an emergency crew with three officers. When they arrived they met a vehicle fully engulfed in flames.

When The Guardian arrived at Malcolm Lane in the back of Albury Sayle Primary School, the fire had already destroyed the vehicle.

"There may be a connection with the incident that transpired earlier through Wilson Street. We're not sure, however, we are investigating. As you know, the information that we received initially that there was a green Sportage vehicle driving through when the shots were discharged from that vehicle, and not too long after that we got reports of this vehicle being torched. So we are investigating to see if there is a direct connection. At this stage we cannot say with certainty but at this stage it is a possibility," Evans said.

Officials at the Princess Margaret Hospital were forced to beef up security yesterday, after several family members and friends of the two men reportedly stormed to the hospital loudly demanding to see the men.

Coralie Adderly, Chief Hospital Administrator of PMH reported yesterday that the unidentified victim who had survived the shooting was taken to the hospital's operating theater and further updates regarding the patient's status will be provided as they become available.

According to a press release, the hospital had to put in extra security measures following the victim's admittance because of the "nature of the events surrounding his injuries".

Adderley said there is a strong police presence at the hospital and assured the hospital's clients and their relatives that PMH will continue to work with the Royal Bahamas Police Force to ensure the utmost safety and security.

Police are continuing investigations into this latest incident, ASP Evans reported.