New Years Morning Women's Brawl leaves four injured.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Four persons are now being treated at the St. Maarten Medical Center for either stab or gunshot wounds. The incident occurred around 11 am on New Years Day in the vicinity of Francis Bar on A.T. Illidge Road. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said a number of gunshots were fired while persons were also stabbed. The police spokesman said the incident that occurred on Friday morning is quite huge and that several detectives and members of the Forensic Department were on the scene collecting evidence. Bystanders and persons who were passing in the area at time said they saw two women laying on the ground, however, Henson said all the victims were taken to SMMC and he could not say who the victims were or what sparked the early morning brawl where gunshots, and persons were stabbed. SMN News further learnt that three women began fighting and a young man went to part the fight but also got stabbed. A resident of the area said most of the victims are from the Dominican Republic. The resident further stated that when the young man got injured he tried to run back home but fell down somewhere in the vicinity of Cash for Gold. SMN News further learnt that Police were at the location around 3am closing all bars to avoid incidents, but it appeared as though the owner of Francis Bar reopened after the officers left the scene. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson confirmed that police did close Francis bar between 3 and 4 am New Years morning and the owner of that bar reopened after police left the area. It is now left to be seen if Government, epecially the Minister of TEATT would take the necessary actions by revoking the business licence for Francis Bar and if he will be prosecuted. Up to late Friday afternoon Henson said he could not say what were the medical condition of the victims that are currently receiving medical treatment at the St. Maarten Medical Center.
Shooting, stabbing on Illidge road.
The Police Department is presently investigating a very serious case which took place on New Years day at approximately 11.00 a.m. It was about that time, when the Central Emergency Dispatch received the first call, concerning a big brawl involving numerous persons that was taking place in the vicinity of Francis bar on the A. Th. Illidge road. The caller also stated that numerous gun shots were fired and that several persons had been stabbed.
Several police patrols, Paramedics Detectives and Forensic Department were sent to the scene to investigate what had taken place. On the scene several persons who were injured during this brawl were attended to by paramedics. The scene was immediately closed off and traffic diverted. Detectives were on the scene talking to witnesses and Forensic Department was collecting evidence. Four persons were transported to the Sint Maarten Medical Center for further medical treatment.
The persons involved in this brawl were attending a New Years Party at Francis Bar when for still unclear reasons the situation got out of hand. The situation escalated whereby numerous shots were fired and several persons getting stabbed. There were no fatalities reported after the brawl.
The investigation is presently ongoing and more details are not available at this moment. As soon as more details become available the media will be informed.
KPSM Police Report
