Chief of Police in Dominica, Daniel Carbon, has defended the action of his men in the shooting death of alleged child abductor, Kian Alexander, saying they acted in self defense.
In a statement on July 1, more than three weeks after Alexander allegedly abducted 12-year-old Kernisha Etienne at her home in Warner and two weeks after he was shot and killed, Carbon said the police never intended to kill the suspect.
“On Saturday, June 18, 2022, about 10 am, Kian was sighted by a team of police officers and civilians who were on the search and rescue operation in the Brookhill area,” he explained. “Kian fled and escaped into the heights of Brookhill. He was pursued by a team of police officers on the Governor’s Ridge. The officers called on him to surrender. He refused and drew his cutlass from behind his back. The officer attempted to apprehend him. Kian dashed aggressively to one of the officers with the cutlass raised above his head. He was shot in self defense.”
Carbon went on to say the Alexander sustained gunshot wounds to the “lower extremities.”
“Thus far, it appears to me that the police officers acted in self defense at the time Kian Alexander was shot,” he stated. “At no time did the officers intended to kill Kian Alexander. It was always the objective of the police apprehend Kian alive.”
The Top Cop said at present he is unable to give further information on the death of the suspect because “it is for litigation before the coroner’s court.”
He did say, however, that it took the police one hour and 15 minutes to transport Alexander from the scene of the shooting to the Clark Hall public road after a police officer, who is a certified medic, rendered first aid.
He said Alexander was examined and pronounced dead by a medical doctor who was summoned to provide medical aid to him.
Carbon said the body was transported to the Lynhurst Funeral Home and an autopsy was subsequently performed.
“A coroner’s inquest was convened and the matter now stands adjourned,” he remarked.
He went on to say that the child is still missing and finding her remains a priority for the police.
“This is a very heartbreaking situation for all of us,” Carbon said.
