Philipsburg: --- Reliable sources have informed SMN News that the incident which occurred early Saturday morning in Simpson Bay next to the Windward Islands Bank that took the life of a 21 year old man is not related to a robbery. Based on the materials that is available already indicate that the two groups that were by the ATM machine had an argument which escalated into a fight. "Someone in one of the two groups is the one that inflicted the injuries to the victim who eventually died." While there are newspaper articles on the French side which stated that the security guard at the Windward Islands Bank did not assist the victims SMN News understands the guard in question was holding his dog and he could not left his post to intervene in a fight. The source said police already interviewed the guard in question who is the main eye witness to the ordeal.
The sources said while the relatives and friends of the 21 year old deceased is mourning his death they are yet to make contact with the Dutch side authorities where the incident had occurred to get the true story. The source said when the fight was over the youngsters then jumped into their vehicle and left for Maho area. "It was while they were in Maho someone made one phone call to police and two patrols was dispatched to the scene and the ambulance department was immediately notified.
"Police also advised those that were with the victims to allow the Dutch Ambulance to transport the victims to the Dutch side hospital but they all refused and insisted on taking the young man to the French side where he eventually passed away. "Now that the man is dead these young people has changed their story". SMN News understands.
In an invited comment Chief Prosecutor of the Windward Islands Taco Stein said based on materials they have so far the incident does not look like that of a robbery instead it is more like a fight. Stein said they made their conclusions based on the materials they have. He also made clear that they have not yet communicated with their counterparts on the French side on this case.
In the meantime SMN News understands that the families are being interviewed by the gendarmes and afterwards they would be meeting with the Dutch side detectives.
