But, why are we just officially hearing about these shots that were fired - today - which is 72 hours after the incident? It was not in the official press release that was sent out on Monday and police did not make any disclosure until today - which is after the family and friends already put it out there. So were police trying to do a cover up? That's what the media asked today:...
Reporter
"Why did the department fail to mention that shots were fired at the scene in their initial report given to us on Monday morning? And secondly, why did they fail to make mention that another person was at the scene for the most of the time? And thirdly, why did they fail to say that it was a minor in fact who was missing?"
Deputy ComPol Noel Leal
"I believe that the press release that was sent out the Monday morning was based on information they had received the previous day and, to be honest with you, that had been the same information that I had received as well. I was briefed real time and there was no indication, in the briefing that I got, that shots were fired. We knew that someone had escaped, but we couldn't say if it was a minor, the father was not forthcoming as yet."
Reporter
"Couldn't that be seen as a cover-up by the department? I mean, we did not know anything that shots were fired until after the family got to the media."
Deputy ComPol Noel Leal
"We have absolutely nothing to hide and I can say here that this investigation, we are hoping that the young man will be found alive and well, but this investigation will go where it needs to go."
Reporter
"Did anyone neglect to mention that shots were fired?"
Deputy ComPol Noel Leal
"Well, as I said, it was text and verbal briefings. I did not see anything in writing up until now."
Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Home Affairs
"It was only after 10 this morning that we were furnished with the written documentation in relation to this matter. Based on those things we were able to see in fact that warning shots had been fired by the police."
Email
Print