No Charges Yet Against Latest Homicide Suspect

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police

Monday, 10 September 2012 02:31

By caribarena news

Antigua St. John’s - Almost a week after the ghastly shooting death of 19-year-old Melissa Rose, police are still to lay formal charges against a suspect in the homicide.

The suspect had reportedly turned himself in to the authorities less than 24-hours after the shooting occurred.

But while the police investigate, a grief-stricken nation continues to battle with attempts to understand the motive behind the young woman’s death and whether it is indeed a reflection of the stark realities of an evolving society.

Investigations by this publication over the past several days have revealed that lawmen are focusing considerable attention on the whereabouts of the suspect in custody at the time of the incident and his possible connection to a suspected-getaway car believed to have been used.

So far, reports suggest that the alibi provided by the suspect is that he was at home with his current girlfriend when the incident occurred during the late night hours of September 5.

The pregnant young woman has reportedly corroborated this story. But other evidence so far suggests otherwise, sources close to the investigation tell this publication.

The suspect, further reports have confirmed, is the father of the victim’s 11-month-old daughter.

Police have yet to locate the gun used in the shooting, but reported to have made considerable headway in locating the rental car suspected as being involved in the incident.

The car in question was found on Saturday morning vandalised and deposited outside the rental company from which it was sourced.

Police retrieved the vehicle from the Car Rental company and it is currently impounded for forensic analysis.

The owner of the establishment, has confirmed that the police have taken posession but declined to comment in detail.

However, Police Spokesman Snr. Sergeant William Holder said that based on the latest information from the investigating officers, charges could be laid soon.

“They are still gathering evidence and until they are satisfied that they have enough, they will not charge,” Holder said.



He did add, however, that it is very possible that charges could be laid within the next 24 hours.

In the meantime, an autopsy is still to be carried out on Melissa Rose’s body. And Holder said that he is unaware of when that post-mortem examination would take place.

Rose was an employee of Sandals Grande Antigua Resort, which has since expressed its condolences to her family and cited nothing but good qualities in the junior employee’s work ethics.

See related stories:

19-Year-Old Murdered Outside Home

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