Barbados law enforcement authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into a deadly shooting incident that occurred Sunday morning in close proximity to the Usain Bolt Sports Complex at Paradise Park, formerly known as Lazaretto, in St Michael. The tragic event has prompted police to issue a public appeal for potential witnesses and evidentiary materials that could advance their investigative efforts.
According to official statements from Police Public Affairs and Communications Officer, acting Inspector Ryan Brathwaite, the Police Operations Control Center received an emergency notification at approximately 11:16 a.m. through a female caller who reported an active shooting situation involving a male victim inside a vehicle adjacent to the sports facility.
“Law enforcement personnel promptly responded to the scene where they discovered the deceased body of a male individual seated within a vehicle. A medical professional attended the location, conducted a thorough examination of the victim, and formally pronounced death,” Inspector Brathwaite detailed during his public briefing.
Preliminary investigative findings indicate the victim had driven into the vicinity earlier that morning when an assailant wearing distinctive black attire—a t-shirt and three-quarter pants—approached the vehicle. Multiple gunshots were reportedly heard by witnesses, after which the suspect was observed fleeing the scene on foot.
The investigation team is particularly interested in contacting individuals who might have been traveling alone along the West Coast road near the Usain Bolt Complex between the critical time window of 10:50 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Additionally, police are urging motorists who may have captured relevant footage via dashboard cameras to provide this potentially crucial evidence to investigators.
Law enforcement officials have provided multiple contact avenues for information submission, including Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, the police emergency hotline at 211, or direct communication with the Black Rock Police Station at 417-7500 or 417-7501. All information will be treated with strict confidentiality.