On Sunday December 26th (Boxing Day) at approximately 11.00 p.m.
police patrols from Philipsburg were directed to the Fort Willem area to investigate a shooting incident, after several calls come into the Central police dispatch from residents living in that area, about many gunshots being fired off in that area.
The callers also stated that the shots were fired one at a time in a repeated fashion and continuously in machine gun fashion. As the police patrol approached the scene of the incident the group of persons gathered there took off running in different directions. On the scene the patrols conducted an investigation which indicated that many shots were fired in the area.
The Detective and Forensic Department were also sent to the scene to conduct their investigation. During this investigation at least 43 spent cartridges were found on the ground. A further investigation done in the area did not show any bullet holes in any buildings or damage to any structures caused by bullets or injuries to anyone, as a result of the shooting. The investigation indicates thus far, that the shots most probably were fired in the air. However, the Forensic Department warns that this type of shooting is also extremely dangerous because when a shot is fired in the air it will fall back to the ground. It falls back to the ground at such a very high speed it can damage buildings or can cause bodily harm to persons and can also be fatal. During this investigation no one was arrested. The Detective Department is investigating and is asking any one in the neighborhood of Fort Willem who may have information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect or suspects responsible for this shooting to call the Police department and give this information.