Police appeal for two drivers and release two suspects

| 24/02/2010

Cayman Islands News, Grand Cayman local news, Royal Cayman Islands Police Service(CNS): The senior investigating officer in the murder enquiry of four-year-old Jeremiah Barnes is appealing for witnesses from two different cars that police believe were in the vicinity of Hell Gas Station seconds after the shooting. Detective Chief Inspector Peter Kennett is looking for the drivers of a 7-8 seater people carrier that was being driven west on Hell Road approaching the gas station which was forced to brake sharply, and a white saloon car waiting in Fountain Road to turn onto Hell Road. Kennett has also confirmed that two of the four men in custody have been released.

Police said that detectives in the major incident room at West Bay police station are continuing to pursue a number of lines of enquiry. SIO Kennett said over 50 statements have now been collected from various witnesses. “Clearly this tragic event has deeply affected the public, who are only too willing to help. As was so eloquently put by a number of speakers at the candlelit vigil for Jeremiah on Monday, it is time for people to stand up against the violence in Cayman. Clearly, people have taken this message to heart,” he said.

Today, police are focusing on finding the drivers and possible passengers of specific vehicles that were in the area of the Hell Gas Station, Hell Road West Bay at exactly 8pm on Monday the 15 February, just seconds after the murder was committed and may be able to assist with the enquiry.

The first was a 7-8 seater people carrier that was being driven west in Hell Road approaching the gas station. This vehicle was forced to brake sharply to avoid a dark grey saloon car that was exiting through the eastern entranceof the gas station turning right onto Hell Road. Had the driver not braked hard there would have been an accident. This dark grey vehicle was being driven at a very fast speed and had come from behind the station. It turned right and east into Hell Road and sped off.

There was also a fairly poor condition white saloon car waiting in Fountain Road to turn onto Hell Road and the driver would have seen this dark grey car.

“We urgently need to speak to these drivers” said DCI Kennett. “They may have valuable information that can assist the enquiry. If you were nearly involved in that accident by Hell service station please get in touch now.”

Anyone who has any information which could assist the enquiry team should contact the murder incident room at West Bay police station either by calling the team direct on 926-1773, or by calling the station on 949-3999 and asking to be transferred to the enquiry team.

Alternatively call Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS).

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  1. frank rizzo says:

    You may have had a chance of getting statements until the witnesses read the second part of the headline.

  2. Anonymous says:

    What is wrong with you people. An innocent baby has lost his life. It could have been yours as well. Suppose you were passing by at the time and a bullet hit you or your child would they care. Please do the right thing if you don’t you are just as bad as they are. Remember we may never know who you are but there is a god to answer to. If you have a concious it should really be bothering you right now , if you seen something and can help bring justice for this baby and won’t. You are COWARDS and I do hope that you may never find yourself in the position of needing help like this and no one wants to. Let’s hope there’s not too many people like you out there, this is the killing of an INNOCENT CHILD. Please have a heart and do the right thing. 

  3. Anonymous says:

    Do the right thing and assist the police, please provide any information that will help the police to solve this crime.

  4. Annoyed says:

    A guilty conscience needs no accuser……