Police say Officer did not Mean to Shoot Rivers in the Abdomen

Earlier this month, twenty-four-year-old Emil Rivers was shot in the abdomen by a police officer in Independence Village. The incident began when Rivers, allegedly intoxicated and carrying a large knife, assaulted Inspector Michael Rosado. Rivers was taken into custody but managed to escape. During a standoff with two officers, Rivers brandished a machete. Despite attempts to de-escalate the situation, Officer Sheldon Arzu shot Rivers twice. Rivers was then taken to the Southern Regional Hospital for treatment. The Professional Standards Branch has launched an investigation into the incident, and police provided an update earlier today.

 

Glen Rivero, Commander, Professional Standards Branch

“We have confirmed that on Friday, the twenty-fourth of January Mr. Rivers was detained in respect to an aggravated assault against a senior officer. He was in custody. After fifty-five p.m. Friday, the twenty-fourth on Saturday, the twenty-fifth. Sometime after six thirty a.m. He was escorted to the bathroom to take a shower during which he escaped from the police station. The police went in pursuit. And they encountered Mr. Rivers, who had armed himself with a machete. Like I said, the matter is under investigation, and as soon as we conclude our investigation that file will be sent to the DPP  for the DPP to make a decision on it. Our investigation revealed so far that he was shot in the midsection. I can say that there is no indication that the officer who fired the shot intended to hit him in the midsection. From all indications, the officers, the officer who fired the shot intended to use the force necessary to subdue Mr. Rivers by targeting his leg.”

 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The statement of the officer, he said in a statement that he had gone to shoot the man in the foot, but he turned at the same time and he ended up being caught in the abdomen. That’s what the officer said in his statement.”