Jury Deems Police Shooting A Justifiable Homicide

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A coroner’s jury has deemed the death of an unarmed, blind man, who was fatally shot by a policeman, as a justifiable homicide. 

The five member jury returned the verdict after over two hours of deliberations on Friday.

Sergeant Sherwin Braynen shot and killed 36-year-old Courtney Thompson at Plantol Street on January 26, 2018 after a biker allegedly pointed a gun at him.

Braynen and two other officers were dispatched to Plantol Street in search of four suspects who were allegedly creating a disturbance.

The officers encountered the deceased, who was a pillion passenger, on a bike driven by his 18-year-old son Elvardo Thompson.

The biker tried to evade the officers, who bumped the back of the bike with the patrol car.

That’s when the cyclist allegedly pointed a gun in the direction of the officers, prompting Braynen to fire a single shot from his revolver.

The cyclist sped off and the passenger fell from the back of the bike, causing the officers to abandon their pursuit.

Police officers said they never apprehended the alleged gunman.

The deceased’s son testified that he was on the bike with his father when they encountered the officers.

He denied pointed a firearm at them; however, he said he tried to evade the officers because his bike was unlicensed and uninsured.

The son said he was never  questioned him about allegedly pointing a gun at the officers.

The coroner’s jury verdict does not assign criminal or civil responsibility.