An aide of Deputy Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis was shot during a botched armed robbery in eastern New Providence, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade said.
Sergeant Andrew Sweeting was not with Davis at the time of the hold up. However, Greenslade said he was on duty.
Sweeting was reportedly shot in his abdomen and arm. He was in stable condition at Doctors Hospital. Sweeting is a 15-year veteran of the police force.
According to Greenslade, Sweeting was in Gleniston Gardens, which is to the rear of the Prince Charles Shopping Centre.
“He was on duty… at a residential area when these two assailants approached and asked him to ‘free up’. meaning they wanted to rob him,” said Greenslade during a press conference at the hospital.
“Of course, Officer Sweeting was in possession of a handgun. He attempted to withdraw his service weapon to engage the suspects who were obviously armed. Gunshots rang out and Officer Sweeting was hit twice and the assailants then ran off.”
One are resident, Randy Haven, said the incident left people shaken up.
“Both guys had guns,” Haven said. “They were young guys, no older than 21. They had their faces covered.”
Police had one of the two suspects in custody. Police say they caught him minutes after the shooting in the Nassau Village area.
“We feel that the suspect in custody is directly linked to the shooting this morning,” Greenslade said. “He is well known to us.”
Greenslade said police also have the name of the second suspect.
By Krystal Rolle
Guardian Staff Reporter
