By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

FRIENDS OF Wesley Pierre, the man who was shot and killed by police in Exuma on Sunday, have threatened to “riot” if police officers involved in the shooting are not immediately removed.

Pierre was shot in the shoulder by police, moments after he reportedly stabbed an officer in the eye while trying to escape custody.

Speaking with The Tribune, Brian Lloyd, Pierre’s co-worker and friend, said Pierre was a good “Christian man” who was devoted to his son and wife. He said if the officers responsible are not taken off the island, there will be a riot.

“He was a hard worker, I worked with him here at Stocking Island as well as a few other jobs and he is a great man and a great father. No one believes what the police is saying happened. We believe those officers did something to him, then set it up like he attacked them. We are all fed up, that man was a good man who went to church with his son every day,” Mr Lloyd said.

“If something is not done we will riot because this don’t make no sense. We know this man, I work with him everyday. He prayed all day everyday. Something will happen if they don’t take these officers off the island. We want justice for this man, he did not deserve to die like that. He did not even rob anyone, what happened was he was at church and had the holy spirit and went for a swim. He ended up swimming by a resort and saw a family in the water and started talking to one of the boys that was swimming. They called the police and that is why he got locked up. He did not steal anything like the police are claiming.”

Assistant Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson denied any foul play was involved, but said the matter has been forwarded to the Coroner’s Court.

According to reports, Pierre asked to use the station bathroom around 11pm Sunday in George Town, Exuma. While being escorted to the bathroom, he reportedly attacked the officer and attempted to escape.

During the struggle, Pierre stabbed the officer in his eye and nose with a pen before running out of the station in an easterly direction.

Officers chased him and caught up with him in the area of John Marshall Liquor Store. When officers tried to arrest him, he struck one of the officers in the face with a large rock and a struggle began.

The officer withdrew his weapon and shot Pierre in the shoulder. Pierre died at the scene.