Chadwyn Francis, one of Econo robbers.
PHILIPSBURG--Police continue to investigate the attempted robbery of Econo Food Market on Friday, as word received is that one of the robbers involved died at the Emergency Room on Friday morning.
The deceased, identified as Chadwyn Francis, passed away at St. Maarten Medical Center as a result of the wound he sustained during the shooting by an off-duty police officer. His body has been confiscated for further investigation.
Police Chief Carl John and his management team will give cooperation to the legally-required investigation conducted by the National Detectives (Landsrecherche) in connection with the shooting of the two armed robbers.
According to police on Friday, John will definitely fully stand firm behind the heroic actions taken by the officer to protect those who were in the supermarket at the time of the robbery. The officer’s action clearly shows that the job of a police officer is not as simple as it may seem, and how officers go beyond the call of duty by putting their lives on the line to protect the community and visitors on the island.
The second robber remains in the hospital undergoing treatment for an injured leg, as the officer shot him in the leg.
The officer in question was in the establishment while the robbery was taking place and decided not to back down, but instead confronted the two armed suspects using a service firearm. During this confrontation the officer managed to apprehend both suspects.
The Police Force of St. Maarten KPSM sends out a stern warning to those youngsters who are involved in any criminal activity to refrain from doing so, because KPSM will do everything within the boundaries of the law to arrest them and bring them to justice. KPSM will never stop. KPSM will without any doubt continue to serve and protect the community of St. Maarten and visitors to the island to the best of its ability.
KPSM also warns that threatening the employees of the organization as a whole or an employee as an individual is unacceptable. This criminal behaviour will not be tolerated and legal action will be immediately taken against the perpetrator.
Meanwhile, KPSM is making sure that the officer in question receives all necessary support and psychological treatment.
The Prosecutor’s Office said on Friday that the investigation has not been concluded, but based on the available evidence, there is reason to assume that the police officer was compelled to act according to the law.
