Gabriel Family Weighs Legal Action After Fatal Police Shooting
We reached out to Kevaughn Gabriel’s family today, but they asked for privacy as they attended his postmortem. Police say they are aware the family may take legal action after Gabriel was fatally shot by officers in Belmopan. The department maintains that officers responded to an emergency domestic violence call involving property damage and threats against a pregnant woman. Still, investigators are reviewing what led to the deadly encounter. Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith says police have offered condolences and respect the family’s right to seek justice, while acknowledging the shooting has left deep trauma on all sides.
Stacy Smith
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“The circumstance of the unfortunate passing of Mr. Gabriel, for which the department certainly wishes to convey its sincere condolences, as well as the ministry, unfolded when officers on duty at the Belmopan police formation responded to an emergency call from a twenty-five-year-old female who stated that Mr. Gabriel had entered her residence and damaged a number of items and threatened her.”
Reporter
“Has the department put out anything to the family or are you guys prepared that they may want to take legal action against the department?”
ASP Stacy Smith
“Well certainly that is their right and as I stated in this briefing that I’m giving, the department is sincerely expressing its condolences for the passing. And certainly the family, if it has not happened as yet, I cannot go on record to say that has happened, would be contacted because certainly the circumstance is not one that was desired, and the police officers were responding. I believe it’s a traumatic situation for each and everyone involved because I was also made to understand that the female is with child for Mr. Gabriel so for the police officers, for the family of Mr. Gabriel as well as the woman and the children who are also there witnessing this.”
We reached out to the police press officer for an official report on this incident but were informed none was available to disseminate as yet.
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