And while they await a directive from the DPP, the court of public opinion has already spoken emphatically: those who are speaking out say the use of lethal force was unwarranted and unjustified.
And one of the most authoritative voices on social media is Thomas Palacio, the 19-year-old who was with Laddie when the police descended on them last night.
His account posted on Instagram says, quote:
"I was there, to the last second. Listen to me when I tell you all this was a senseless, senseless, senseless, murder. Senseless isn't the word. The cops and security intercepted us as we were heading back to Chabil Mar resort. The men who caused us to run were dressed in all black and they didn't shout "police, or security" so we took that as a red flag and as someone who wanted to rob or hurt us, so we ran the opposite way. I was instantly hit with a baton on my back and then one shot was fired. Laddie fell instantly.
I fell to my knees when I heard the shot, then I was kicked up, hit several times, and held at gunpoint as these dirty cops stood over me while I was on my back. Laddie was less than 20 feet away from me. Not moving at all. They checked his pulse right there and then and they all agreed that "bwai di man gaan", "di man get shot bwai" they then returned their focus on me saying "weh we a do with he now" as the gun hovered inches above my face, they then kicked me up again and roughed me up, I asked if Laddie was alright and nobody gave me a direct answer just "shet up lee bwai" and stuff like that.
They had us there for at least 10 minutes. Laddie was left there for 10 minutes. Before they even bothered to start doing anything "right" my memories are scattered, and we are all in shock. But this will be dealt with justly. Laddie was my brother, and I loved that youth very much, always will, see u in heaven little bro." End quote.
