On Saturday, July 27, 2019, officers attached to the Choiseul Police Station proceeded to Bois Den, Choiseul, in search of Dylan Fontenelle, in connection with Warrants of Arrest in the First Instance (for causing Damage to Property), a Bench Warrant (for the offence of Burglary) and several other reports made against him. The suspect was able to flee his residence and evade arrest.
During the course of June 2019 and July 2019, a total of twenty six reports were made against Dylan Fontenelle, including Damage to Property (five separate homes), Damage to Motor Vehicle, Wounding, Arson, Threats and Assaults. Eight of the said reports were made on Thursday, July 25, 2019. Officers were seeking to apprehend Dylan Fontelle in connection with these matters and had made numerous attempts to arrest him prior to this incident.
On Sunday, July 28, 2019, about 7:00 a.m. officers returned to the residence of the thirty seven year old resident of Bois Den (Dylan Fontenelle). Officers were confronted by the suspect, who was armed with a metal rod and saw. He proceeded to strike an officer with the said rod several times. Non-lethal means were used in an attempt to subdue the suspect, but to no avail. Officers continued in their efforts to apprehend the suspect for about twenty minutes but he continued to attack officers at which point live rounds of ammunition were discharged in his direction. Medical attention was sought for the suspect, who succumbed at the St. Jude Hospital.
The Royal St. Lucia Police Force wishes to dispel rumours that family members and community members harbored Dylan Fontenelle, as these individuals cooperated fully with efforts of officers in taking him into custody. The matter is currently under investigation. We wish to extend condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.