Did Cop Shoot Teen in Dangriga?

Via Phone: Sharon Smith

A minor in Dangriga says that he was unjustly shot by a police officer. According to the family of seventeen-year-old Cameron Smith, on Sunday morning sometime before seven o’clock, an officer on patrol appeared to have signaled at him; he gave the officer a nod and continued on his way.  Shortly after, while on the Long Bank/Melinda Road heading to his brother’s house, Smith detected the vehicle trailing him. The truck reportedly stopped and the same officer fired three shots in his direction, one of which grazed him on the left foot.  Smith says he dashed for cover before the officer seized his cycle and drove off.  Sharon Smith says her son has only had one brief encounter with the officer, but they have no beef. The family says that while receiving treatment at the Southern Regional Hospital, the officer in question took a statement which was never lodged. Sharon explains via phone to News Five that she has since made a report to the Professional Standards Branch of the Police Department.

Via Phone: Sharon Smith, Mother of Shooting Victim

“Ih says that he see the police vehicle but he nuh the pay it no mind because he di tek his own time and he di go about his business. He said that he mi almost reach his brother house and he still see the vehicle. But he said that he wasn’t driving fast or anything so he didn’t bother and he drove into his brother’s yard and when he reached dah the yard the police vehicle stopped and the police tek his foot and put it out the truck and just aimed at him and shot him in his foot. He neva tell ah A nor B. The lee bwai said that all weh he hear dah “pow” and after he heard that he feel something burn him on his foot and when he looked he saw blood pouring and when he looked back and see them, he jump over the cycle and run inna the back of the yard and he run gone hide behind the bamboo. He heard two more shots – so three times deh shoot after him and one ketch ah.”

Andrea Polanco

“When did you guys take him to the hospital?”

Via Phone: Sharon Smith

“We took him right away and we didn’t waste any time.”

Andrea Polanco

“And how did the doctor classify his injuries?”

Via Phone: Sharon Smith

“He was grazed by a bullet. We have the doctor paper and everything.  We didn’t give it to the police. What I don’t understand is why they sent the same police that shot my son to take a report from us.”

Andrea Polanco

“So, now this police officer did your son ever have any problems with him, any encounter with him before?”

Via Phone: Sharon Smith

“About two months ago, they were on the side of the street,  my kids and one of the neighbors were sitting on a barrel we put trash in. The officers pass and told them to go inside and they said ‘but officer, we live right yah.’ And the officer tell dem to get off the street and go inna deh yard. So, my son told him that, ‘ you got pickney yuh know, don’t talk to people pickney like that.’ And so he [officer] tell ah if he wah deh tazed them but my son said that they weren’t doing anything wrong.”

Andrea Polanco

“Now, what would you like to see be done in this case?”

Via Phone: Sharon Smith

“I want court action. I nuh want nobody shoot my pickney because my son is underage. He is seventeen years old. He frightened and he nuh know what to do. ma’m. We gone make a report in Belmopan Headquarters.”

Andrea Polanco

“What did they say to you there?”

Via Phone: Sharon Smith

“They don’t have anything in the system – nothing absolutely nothing.”

Andrea Polanco

“So, the report was never filed?”

Via Phone: Sharon Smith

“No, ma’m. Nothing.”