Sunday night’s shooting death in the Logwoods area of West Bay was not related to gang activity, according to a statement Tuesday by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service.
Solomon David Webster, 24, was shot in the groin area at around 8:30 p.m. Sunday, according to police reports. He was taken by private vehicle to a local clinic immediately after the shooting and then transferred to the Cayman Islands Hospital where he died from the gunshot injury, police said.
“Police are following a specific line of enquiry with regard to a lone male offender who made off on foot from the scene towards the Logwoods area,” a police statement said. “The male is described as brown complexion, of slim build, wearing a dark colored shirt and jean pants.
“The RCIPS would like to emphasize that the death of Solomon David Webster is not believed to be gang related.”
Mr. Webster and the suspected shooter were believed to have been involved in an altercation earlier on Sunday.
Although Mr. Webster had been before the mental health court in the past, he was not considered by police to be a gang member in either the Logwoods crew or any other West Bay group, police sources indicated.
Michael Myles, government’s at-risk youth coordinator, was house manager at the Bonaventure Boys Home where Mr. Webster lived for several years.
“He was a good young man,” he said. “I really liked him. He did have a troubled past and because of that he ended up with a lot of behavioral issues and at times did not make good decisions.
“Solomon had a good heart. He was challenged academically but always performed to his best and aspired to be a good athlete. I watched him compete in sports and represent the island well in the Special Olympics. He also played recreational football and did really well.”
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Something seems to be amiss in the Cayman Islands. Am I the only person who feels that the crime situation in the Cayman Islands is getting worse every day and that we as a country are not doing enough to tackle crime and the underlying social issues?
A recent article published by another media house appears to suggest that some people in authority feel that the RCIPS is doing a good job tackling crime. However, most of the people that I have spoken with have indicated that they feel less safe today than they did in years past.
I don’t believe Mr Myles comments re Mr Webster’s past behavior are appropriate to be published during Mr. Webster’s family’s grieving process. I would have expected the Compass to omit these inappropriate remarks.