A police officer who was responding to an attempted robbery in his neighbourhood of Rose Hill, St Peter was shot and killed on Saturday night.
He was identified as acting station sergeant, Newton Lewis, the personal driver of Commissioner of Police Tyrone Griffith.
Addressing the media from the scene, police spokesman acting inspector Rodney Inniss said a shopkeeper reported the attempted robbery around 9:05 p.m. and requested assistance from Lewis who lived a few metres away. He responded with someone who lived in the general area, but never made it to the shop.
“He was on his way to the establishment when he was confronted by the said assailants. A number of gunshots was heard and that police officer fell to the ground. He was pronounced dead at the scene,” Inniss said.
Describing it as “a very tragic moment”, Inniss said Lewis was a “young and exuberant officer”, and a “very good worker”. He said it also underscored the fact that lawmen were a part of the community and never off duty, even when they were at home.
He said Lewis’ wife, children and father were “very, very traumatised”, as were members of the Royal Barbados Police Force who were on the scene in their numbers. Counsellors were called in for both family and colleagues.
Inniss appealed to any member of the public with information to call police emergency 211, District E Police Station at 4191730 or any Police Station. Tips can also be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIPS (8477). (SAT)
