Son of Man Killed by Police Denied Pointing Gun At Them

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The son of a blind, unarmed man who was killed by police vehemently denied pointing a gun at the police the night his father was killed. 

The circumstances surrounding the fatal police shooting of 36-year-old Courtney Thompson on January 26, 2018 are being examined by a coroner’s court jury.

He was a pillion passenger on his son, Elvardo Thompson’s, scooter at Irish Spring Court and Plantol Street when they encountered a police patrol car.

Police officers have previously testified that the driver of the shooter pointed a gun at them, prompting Sergeant Sherwin Braynen to fire a single shot that struck Thompson in the neck.

During his testimony, Thompson said that he tried to evade the officers because his scooter was unlicensed and uninsured.

Thompson said about two weeks prior to the incident, police had confiscated the bike because of the traffic infractions and he recently gotten it back.

While trying to elude the officers, Thompson said the patrol car bumped the back of his scooter, causing him to lose balance.

Thompson said he panicked and sped off when he heard a gunshot.

According to Thompson, he felt when his dad fell from the back of the back about twenty seconds later.

Thompson said that he went home and asked his grandmother to check on his dad. He later learned that his father had died.

Patrick Sweeting, who is marshaling the evidence, told Thompson, “the allegation is that you pointed a firearm at the police.”

Thompson replied, “I never had an weapon.”

Sweeting continued, “Did you point a weapon at them?”

Thompson replied, “I couldn’t point a weapon at them. I had my hands on the throttle.”

The inquest, which is being heard before Acting Coroner Kara Turnquest-Deveaux, is expected to end on Friday.