National Detectives Department investigates shooting incident

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Police officer Gilles Ellis at the crime scene of the shooting.
Police officer Gilles Ellis is seen talking to chief Commissioner of police Carl John
Police officer Gilles Ellis is seen talking to chief Commissioner of police Carl John

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The National Detectives Department (Landsrecherche) has initiated an investigation called “Blue Tang” into Saturday’s July 30 incident whereby in the area of Cole Bay a female suspect drove away with a police vehicle.

In order to force the suspect to stop the vehicle, shots were fired by a police officer.

The officer Gilles Antonio Gabriel Ellis (G.A.G.E.) (26) is suspected to have violated the police official instructions (“ambtsinstructie voor de politie”) by firing his service weapon at that moment and has been heard on Wednesday August 3 by members of the National Detectives Department.

The police vehicle and the service weapon of the police officer has been confiscated by the National Detectives Department in light of the ongoing investigation.

The Blue Tang investigation is separate from the criminal investigation against the female suspect J.J.W. (32) who drove away with the police car and is suspected of attempted manslaughter, attempted aggravated assault, theft, resisting arrest, disobeying a direct order and destruction.

On Wednesday August 3 the Judge of Instruction remanded J.J.W. to custody for eight (8) days.