Four Officers Injured After Confrontation With American Tourists

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – Five American tourists are in police custody following an alleged violent series of incidents that police say began at the Nassau Cruise Port and continued inside a police station.

Authorities say the group was involved in a physical altercation at the port before allegedly assaulting officers, damaging property and attempting to escape police custody.

Our Delvardo Emmanuel reports.

“This shattered glass is what remains of a chaotic scene police say unfolded inside this station Monday evening. What started as an altercation at the Nassau Cruise Port allegedly escalated into a violent struggle here, leaving four officers injured and five American nationals in police custody.”

This video, that is now making the rounds on social media appears to show part of that confrontation, including a man climbing out of the damaged door as officers move in to restrain him.

Police said that it all began shortly after 4:45 Monday afternoon when Tourism Police officers were called to the Nassau Cruise Port after reports of a fight involving cruise ship passengers.

Officers responded and took three women and two men — all U.S. nationals — into custody.

Police say the complainant was asked to go to the station to give a formal statement.

But investigators say the situation quickly went downhill when the group arrived.

Reports say while officers were preparing to search the five suspects, a struggle allegedly broke out.

According to police, one of the women picked up a chair and threw it through a glass door, shattering the window.

Investigators say one of the men then kicked out the remaining glass and tried to run, but was quickly stopped by officers.

With the situation spiraling out of control, additional police units were called in to help restore order.

Police say the five suspects suffered minor injuries during the initial altercation at the cruise port and were treated by EMS personnel.

The incident also left four officers hurt.

Authorities say two officers were struck during the struggle, another suffered a cut to the mouth, and a fourth officer sustained a serious shoulder injury that required hospital treatment.

The group ultimately missed their cruise and remains in custody. They are being investigated for assaulting a police officer, fighting in a public place, resisting arrest, malicious damage and disorderly behaviour in a police station.

Our News reached out to officials at the American Embassy for comment but received no response up to news time.