PHILIPSBURG - Police officer R.Y. who was arrested on Sunday, May 17 in connection with the fatal shooting of Akeem Isidora (22) during an altercation in Happy Estate, Belvedere on March 4, has been transferred to a detention facility in Aruba.

 

Prosecutor Tineke Kamps told The Daily Herald on Monday that Y. has been sent to Aruba "because of safety risk in the Pointe Blanche Prison."

She did not indicate when he was transferred; which facility he was transferred to and what sort of threats he had been receiving in prison here, when asked by this newspaper.

 

Kamps said Y. will face trial in St. Maarten, but did not indicate when the trial will be and at what point he will be brought back to St. Maarten. Y. will be charged with manslaughter or murder.

 

Police spokesperson Inspector Ricardo Henson had said in a report after the shooting that witnesses had reported that the incident occurred after a very heated verbal confrontation between the off duty officer, who was at that time driving in his personal vehicle, and a group of men from the neighbourhood. At one point during this confrontation the situation escalated and got out of control, Henson had said at the time.

 

This is when, according to witnesses, shots were fired leaving Isidora dead on the street. The officer was suspended from his post after the incident.

 

The Daily Herald

 

Related article:

- Police officer arrested for Akeem Isidora shooting