And, also in the south, Police have arrested and charged a Roaring Creek man for an attempted murder that happened in Punta Gorda where 2 persons were shot. ASP Stacy Smith told us how surveillance footage led them to detain and charge 24 year old Derek Bennett.
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"Crimes Investigation Branch personnel of Punta Gorda Police formation have formally arrested and charged 24 year old Derek Bennett of Lagoon Street in Punta Gorda town, for two counts of attempted murder in relation to the shooting of Ashton Martin and Kelly Stephens, which occurred on 17th November 2025. Investigators have so far established that approximately 11:30 p.m. on the aforementioned date, 25 year old Kelly Stephens and 41 year old Martin were at an establishment on George Price Street in Punta Gorda town when a male person entered that establishment and fired several shots at them, which resulted in their injury. During the investigation, police reviewed several surveillance video footages which have proved to be of evidential value. Bennett, who had been identified as a person of interest in this matter, was initially detained shortly after the incident and at that time of his detention he gave police a false name. He was charged for a mischievous act and was subsequently released as at that time sufficient information was not there to levy a charge against him. As the investigators continued their investigation, they were able to amass the necessary evidence that would require the charges to be levied, and a wanted person poster was subsequently made, and an all formation message was distributed. As efforts to locate Bennett within Punta Gorda Town proved fruitless, the officers in the western region were able to apprehend Mr. Bennett in Camalote village, and he was subsequently handed over to the investigators in Punta Gorda town, where he was charged for attempted murder."
