{"id":20297,"date":"2018-09-25T11:49:13","date_gmt":"2018-09-25T15:49:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=20297"},"modified":"2018-09-25T12:34:20","modified_gmt":"2018-09-25T16:34:20","slug":"commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/","title":{"rendered":"COMMENTARY: The Tragic Shooting of Philo Wallace"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0RAWLSTON POMPEY<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Invariably,\nsome news or occurrences are missed. Occasionally, something captures the\nattention, provoking curiosity as to inspire the human spirit. Many of today\u2019s\noccurrences, however, often sadden the heart and dampen the spirit. The tragic\nkilling of young Nevisian has been one such occurrence that will remain under a\nshining light in the memory of many people across the region. Awakened just\nafter 3 am [September 21, 2018], decidedly, the internet was about the best\nplace to surf for any news or developments that may have been missed.\u00a0 Came upon a rather \u2018…tragic; …touching and troubling story.\u2019 <\/strong>It was new and speaks\nto trauma and distress; pain and mourning and infinite grief. It speaks to the untimely\ndeath of Philo Wallace 17, of the quiet sleepy community of Hamilton. Though\nseemingly, not cold-blooded, but suggestive of a retaliatory response, media reports\nrevealed that he was gunned-down at a Night Club by an off-duty plainclothes\nPolice officer. The officer identified with culpability was Constable Zaviel\nJeffers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PERSPECTIVE<\/strong><\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Much\nmay have been written by people apparently starved of Police procedures in\ncircumstances like these. This commentary seeks to provide some enlightenment\nto as to certain procedures obtained within the Organization of Eastern\nCaribbean States (OECS) for the holding of a Coroner\u2019s Inquest. Given the jurisprudential\nderivate of United Kingdom laws, inherited and practiced throughout the \u2018OECS\u2019\nwhere existing laws and procedures are similar. Consequent upon pending\njudicial considerations (sub judice), only the procedural aspects will be\nexplained. What shall be understood, is that the purposes of holding a\nCoroner\u2019s Inquest, is primarily to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the\ndeath of a person, whether violently or tragically or where the cause of death\nof a person who died suddenly was not immediately known and to ascribe\nculpability to a person or persons, if a Coroner\u2019s Jury so determined and ruled.\n<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

CULPABLE IGNORANCE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In\na mindboggling turn of events, after the Coroner\u2019s Inquest and verdict where no\nculpability was ascribed to the shooter, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP),\nreportedly disregarded the verdict of the Coroner\u2019s Jury by luring Commissioner\nof Police Ian Queeley [RSKNPF], down a slippery destructive slope. When he\ncaused the verdict of the Coroner\u2019s Jury that his administration had caused to\nbe selected and summoned by Coroner Madam Yasmine Clarke to be ignored, he may\nhave exhibited \u2018…Culpable Ignorance\u2019 <\/strong>of\nLord Denning\u2019s dicta. Thus, after some 10 months, apparently of indecision,\nConstable Zaviel Jeffers was reportedly arrested and charged with Manslaughter\n[SKNO: February 27, 2018]. As a consequence, he may have exposed himself to be\nseen as acting in contempt, by ignoring the \u2018…lawful Verdict of the Coroner\u2019s\nJury,\u2019 reducing the Coroner\u2019s inquisition to a complete farce.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OPEN VERDICT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lessons\nmay have been learned from the Inquisition into the \u2018…mistaken killing of a\nBrazilian Jean Charles Menezes 27.\u2019 Misidentified and erroneously suspected as\na bomber, a Coroner\u2019s Inquest revealed that he had received \u2018…seven bullets to\nthe head, shot at point blank range by two Metropolitan Police marksmen\u2019\n[Wikipedia: July 22, 2005]. The internationally reported \u2018London Underground Bombing,\u2019<\/strong> though mired in controversy and\nconfusion; …speculations; …suggestions of rushed assumptions; and\naccusations of suppression of evidence,\u2019 The structured format of the\nproceedings, summation and questions provided to them by the Coroner Sir\nMichael Wright QC, appeared to have guided their deliberations and subsequent\nreturn of a family and public disappointing \u2018…Open Verdict\u2019<\/strong> [December 12, 2008]. This Verdict had never been\nsubjected to interference.<\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

INQUISITORIAL VERDICT<\/strong><\/p>

\"\"<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Lest\nit be left to speculations, the author holds no relations with or briefs for\nthe victim\u2019s family. He also holds no familiarity or knowledge of Commissioner\nIan Queeley; Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Walston Graham and accused\nPolice Constable, Zaviel Jeffers. Suffice to say, that which was revealed by a\nregional news portal [SKN Observer: February 27, 2018], represents that which\nhad transpired between the two senior public officers and their respective\noffices, Commissioner Queeley may have been given good reasons to harbor\nfeelings of trepidation and distrust.To\nall intents and purposes, the \u2018DPP\u2019 appeared to have ignored the \u2018…Inquisitorial Verdict\u2019<\/strong> in advising\nthe Commissioner of Police to slap a charge of Manslaughter against Constable\nZaviel Jeffers after the Coroner\u2019s Jury had ruled otherwise. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BUCKLED UNDER\nPRESSURE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

None\nmay decide and\/or dictate for the Commissioner of Police. Many Commissioners of\nPolice, particularly those that chose to avoid culpability of ignorance, had\noften guided themselves by the historic ruling in the case \u2018…Regina v\nMetropolitan Commissioner of Police Blackburn Ex parte\u2019 [1968: 1 AER: 763].\nConsequent upon this seminal ruling, none may dictate to a Commissioner how he\nmay enforce the law. Master of the Roll, Lord Alfred Thompson Denning had made\nit settled law that \u2018…No minister of the Crown and no Police authority shall\ntell the Commissioner to arrest this man or that one; …He is responsible to\nthe law and only the law.\u2019 Seemingly Commissioner Ian Queeley may have \u2018…Buckled Under Public Pressure\u2019<\/strong>\nand\/or environmental influences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

PROSECUTORIAL\nIMMUNITY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\nwhich many people saw as among the most disconcerting has been an apparent\nestablished climate, pronounced by tragic killings across the region at the\nhands of those charged with responsibility to protect and serve. Most have\nexpressed concerns over apparent creation of a climate that injects fear into\nthe citizenry and seemed to have encouraged impunity, as officers operated in\nan environment that appears to offer trigger-happy police personnel \u2018…Prosecutorial Immunity.\u2019 <\/strong>No matter\nthe circumstances, whether suddenly or tragically, when death occurred,\nfamilies and loved ones; friends and associates; communities and general\npopulations, are jolted into shock and stricken by awe. This is dedicated to\nthe bereaved and people who cherish life, and respect the sanctity of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHEELS OF JUSTICE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nbereaved and grieving family, supported by community activists desired nothing\nbut justice. They rallied together with commonality of purpose, understanding\nand determination. These were strengthened by a collective resolve in ensuring\nthat the wheels of justice turned and spun in favor of the bereaved family.\nIncidentally, the \u2018…Wheels of Justice\u2019<\/strong>\ninfrequently turned that way, reflecting nothing but the harsh realities of\nlife. Then controversy and confusion reigned. There was the completion of a\nCoroner\u2019s Inquest with defiant expectations of a verdict of \u2018…Justifiable\nHomicide.\u2019 There had been post assurances of a review of the incident and\nCoroner\u2019s Inquest by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Walston Graham\n[SKNO: April 2017]. No authority resides with anyone to interfere or set aside\nthe conclusive, inclusive or open verdicts of Coroners\u2019 Juries. However, if\nthere shall be a \u2018police guinea pig,\u2019 then the one ideally suited for\nexperimentation,\u2019 shall be the Police high command. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

KEVIL NELSON CASE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\noutcome of the \u2018…Kevil Nelson Case\u2019<\/strong>\nnot only vividly makes the point, but also provides useful lessons to serving\nlaw enforcement personnel across the region [ANU: October 24, 2006]. It was\nobvious to all a sundry that the accused Constable Nelson (former subordinate),\nappeared to have made a serious professional error of judgment. It ended not\nonly the life of Denfield \u2018Tody\u2019 Thomas, but also a promising law enforcement\ncareer. The facts revealed that the baby was in another village in the safe\ncustody of a paternal grandmother. At the hour of night, he may not have been\ninfluenced or prompted to visit the residence of the deceased. The ill-advised\nand unexpected visit to the home of the deceased reportedly precipitated a physical\nconfrontation. The tragic incident had captured the attention, imagination and\nhearts of people across the island. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0SINGLE\nSHOT \u2013 INSTANT GRIEF<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An\nerror of judgment, lack of foreseeable consequences, and lack of self-restraint\nand a \u2018…Single Shot\u2019<\/strong> at close\nrange, penetrated the chest walls, dissecting vital internal organs that\nresulted in \u2018…Instant Grief.\u2019\u00a0 <\/strong>Many were left with emotions spiralling\nout of control, and with scared memories and everlasting grief. The people had\nmobilized themselves, rending vehicular traffic diversion as they mounted\nblockade of streets in the community. This was followed by the usual, but dreaded\nformalities of arrest; a charge of murder; remand to prison; trial and\nconviction, and institutional residency of 22 years. Circumstantially, there\nmay be no equation as to what may have occurred between \u2018…Zaviel\nJeffers\/Philo Wallace\u2019 tragic incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DEADLY USE OF FIREARM<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\nis really no place to run or hide from, or escape death. For instance, when\ndeath visited deceased Denfield \u2018Tody\u2019 Thomas, he was in the safety and comfort\nof his home. Conversely, when it visited Philo Wallace, he was at a party\nsocializing with friends. When news broke that Philo Wallace was allegedly\ngunned-down by an off-duty plainclothes officer, dark shadows had descended\nupon his community, while shockwaves reverberated across the Federation of St.\nKitts and Nevis. As in the case of the Constable Zaviel Jeffers, so it was in\nthe Kevil Nelson case. Media reports suggested (i) …a violent physical\nconfrontation; and (ii) the \u2018…Deadly\nuse of a Firearm.\u2019<\/strong> He reportedly visited the deceased home for no other\nreason than \u2018…retrieving a baby\u2019s bag, when tragedy struck.\u2019 The difference\nwas that Constable Nelson went out on a purely mundane domestic dispute to\nassist a distraught mother, while Zaviel Jeffers 17, may have been socializing\nor moonlighting at a Night Club. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTERNATIONAL\nPRACTICE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From\nthat which is widely known and practiced in some democracies within the\ninternational community, victims fatally wounded by law enforcement personnel,\nexcept where prima facie evidence suggested recklessness or foreseeable\nconsequences, where culpability was clearly established to dictate immediate\narrest for murder, inquests \u2018…touching the death of the deceased are often be\nheld to bring closure or prosecutorial action as prima facie evidence may\nsuggest [ANU: Chapter 105: SKN: Chapter 3.08]. This is so, whether or not an\naccused officer was acting in the execution of duty or like any other citizen acting\ndefensively to prevent a violent crime or attack on his, or the person of\nanother. It also matters not whether the person so fatally wounded was in, or\nout of police custody. It was evident that in its quest for information and a\nfamily and clamoring for answers, they have all encountered an impenetrable\n\u2018…wall of secrecy\u2019 surrounding the incident.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CAPACITY OF MAGISTRATE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike\nother jurisdictions, in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Organization of\nEastern Caribbean States (OECS), a British-derivative jurisprudential practice\nis obtained. Many people who are confused over the dual-role of Magistrates are\ngenerally those who are under-informed, misinformed or not informed. In the\ncapacity of Magistrates sits and hears matters of Civil or tortuous nature brought\nbefore the Court or adjudicate Summary offences and conduct committal\nproceedings in matters of Criminal jurisdiction. Conversely, when Magistrates\nfunction in the \u2018…Capacity of Coroners,\u2019<\/strong>\nthe office holders are merely inquirers. The inquisitorial and quasi judicial\nproceedings are called \u2018…Coroner\u2019s Inquests,\u2019 as defined in the Coroner\u2019s\nAct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CAPACITY OF CORONER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\nCoroner, with a summoned five-member Jury, is required to inquire into the\ncircumstances touching (a) …Sudden or violent or suspicious deaths.\u2019 These\ninclude homicide, suicide, accidental or undetermined; (b) …Massive Fires;\nand (c) …Treasure Trove; and (d) …Shipwrecks or marine disasters.\u2019 This\ncontinues to be the jurisprudential practice in most of the Commonwealth nations.\nMany people, particularly Kittitians and Nevisians, may recall the \u2018…MV\nChristena Disaster.\u2019 A Coroner\u2019s Inquest revealed the horrors of its passengers\nand crew and the unspeakable grief; immemorable pain experienced by survivors\nand the indelible mark left in the minds of the populace in the Federation of\nSt. Christopher and Nevis [August 1, 1970]. More recently, the tragic killing\nof a Nevisian youth has not only sparked controversy over the action of a law\nenforcement officer, but also an apparent puzzled verdict of a Coroner\u2019s Jury. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

NON- CULPABILITY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\nCoroner\u2019s Court is guided by rules and procedures contained in law. The Rules\nprovide for guidance to Coroners. The Jury deliberate and return verdicts,\nbased upon circumstantial evidence presented by sworn witnesses. Additionally,\nthere is guidance by the Coroner that allow for the Jury to understand aspects\nof law relevant to the circumstances and helpful to their deliberations and\nverdicts. Apart from deaths where the medical history of a deceased was within\nthe knowledge of the attending physician, he would make determinations as to\nthe cause or causes o death.<\/strong> In that\ncase since it would have been determined that the deceased died of \u2018…Natural\nCauses,\u2019 no person would be held culpable. Similarly, a person climbing up into\na tree and accidentally fell, or deliberately hanging him\/herself no one will\nbe held culpable for such death. In such circumstances, a Coroner\u2019s Jury would return\na verdict of\u2018…Misadventure or declared a Suicidal Death.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

VERDICTS OF JURIES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where\ndeath resulted from human acts or omissions, recklessness or negligence, a\npathologist performing an autopsy\/post mortem, through his expertise guides a\nCoroner with his findings and opinion as cause of death. In many jurisdictions\nwithin the Organization of Eastern Caribbean Stated (OECS), a five-member\nCoroner\u2019s Jury is summoned to hear the circumstances from testifying witnesses\nthat allows for a verdict. This is to ascertain if there was (a) \u2018…Culpability (c) …Justifiability;\nor (d) …Misadventure.\u2019<\/strong> The Coroner explains and gives directions on the\nlaw. The Jury reaches conclusions and makes determinations based upon the\ncircumstances presented to them on Oath or Affirmation. In the instant Philo\nWallace tragic shooting, a Coroner Inquest has identified Police Constable\nZaviel Jeffers with \u2018…culpability,\u2019 but having heard the circumstances\ntouching his death, the Jury by an overwhelming majority 4-1, ruled that his\ndeath was justified. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

REASONABLE AND\nJUSTIFIABLE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In\nother words, given the facts and circumstances, the Coroner\u2019s Jury, no doubt,\nproperly directed on the law by the Coroner Madam Yasmine Clarke, gave acute\nconsiderations, determined that though the Police Constable had in fact, shot\nand killed the victim, in the circumstances presented to the Coroner\u2019s Jury,\nwhatever they may have been, that which the accused Constable may have been up\nagainst and the apparent measured force used, was \u2018…Reasonable and Justifiable.\u2019<\/strong> It made no difference whether a\nPolice officer was on or off-duty, in uniform or plainclothes. It had to do\nwith what was happening at the material time and the amount of force used in\nprotecting himself from actual or imminent attack. Most importantly, an officer\nusing deadly force in excess of, or over-extended or immeasurable to what may\nhave been used against him or imminently threatened, shall show justification. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

FRIGHTENING AND INTRIGUING<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In\nthe Philo Wallace tragic killing, it was \u2018…Frightening\nand Intriguing\u2019<\/strong> how the incident appeared to have been handled. Seemingly\nquizzed by the media that had been seeking information, while the bereaved\nfamily had been clamoring for answers, Director of Public Prosecutions Walston\nGraham\u2019 made it clear that his office was not in recess and was also not leisure\ntime playing \u2018hopscotch nor hide and seek. Media reports revealed that through\na letter penned to Commissioner of Police Ian Queeley, he had advised him to\ncause a charge of Manslaughter to be laid against Constable Zaviel Jeffers\n[SKNO: April 12, 2017]. This, for two legitimate reasons, appeared ill-advised.\nFirstly, the Coroner\u2019s Inquest was conducted in accordance with the Coroner\u2019\nCourt Act [Chapter 3.o8]. Though not a criminal or litigious Court, it is still\na competent Court specifically established for the purposes of holding\ninquisitions into violent or accidental, sudden, suspicious or unnatural\ndeaths. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

GRAY AREAS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When\ntragedy struck at the hands of the Police, \u2018…Gray\nAreas\u2019<\/strong> in management or supervision often surfaced. The public wrath often descended\nupon the organization. Bitterness is tasted by everyone and animosity often\nlingers. Citizens continue to harbor suspicion and distrust in the Police. Lest\nhatred is allowed to fester in their hearts and that of the bereaved or\nsaturates the mind of the nation; …Lest citizen confidence continue to wane, Police\nCommanders know, while they have responsibility for their personnel, they also\nhave a duty to show that there is nothing to conceal. Invariably, thorough\ninternal investigations may help in ascertaining facts that otherwise might\nfuel public speculations. In the instant case, a Commander may wish to\nascertain (a) …the presence and purpose of the off-duty Constable; (b) …whether\na legitimate patron or moonlighting.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONCLUSION<\/strong>\n\nA Commander shall know about, (i) …possession\nof a firearm, whether lawfully and\/or officially issued by his supervisor or\nArmourer for self-protection or for reasonable and responsible use in the\nperformance of duty; and (ii) …whether such firearm was illegally possessed\nas to violate provisions in the Firearms Act for legitimacy of acquisition and\nuse; and (iii) …whether or not Force Standing or Station Orders or\ndisciplinary regulations were breached or disobeyed.\u2019 Most importantly, such\ninquiry may likely help to determine the effectiveness of command and control;\nsuperintendence and supervision; proper deployment of subordinates and\nconformity with Use of Force Policy.\u2019 If there ought to be transparency and\naccountability; improved professionalism; enhanced responsibility and\nconformity to organizational disciplinary regulations, then these, though not\nthe cure-all for organizational indiscipline, existing \u2018…Preventive Mechanisms\u2019 <\/strong>shall be strengthened. An internal\ninquiry, therefore, is ideal to, inter alia, to help in determining strengths\nand weaknesses. It may very well help in preventing Coroner\u2019s Inquests,\ntriggered by the deadly use of force. <\/strong>Even\nso, none may be delusional that given the unpredictable nature of man and the\ndangerous and complex nature of police work, in given situations all in hell\nmay still break loose. \n\n\n\n<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0RAWLSTON POMPEY Invariably, some news or occurrences are missed. Occasionally, something captures the attention, provoking curiosity as to inspire the human spirit. Many of today\u2019s occurrences, however, often sadden the heart and dampen the spirit. The tragic killing of young Nevisian has been one such occurrence that will remain under a shining light in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":20308,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[55],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20297","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-letters-to-the-editor"],"yoast_head":"\nCOMMENTARY: The Tragic Shooting of Philo Wallace - Antigua News Room<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"COMMENTARY: The Tragic Shooting of Philo Wallace\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0RAWLSTON POMPEY Invariably, some news or occurrences are missed. Occasionally, something captures the attention, provoking curiosity as to inspire the human spirit. Many of today\u2019s occurrences, however, often sadden the heart and dampen the spirit. The tragic killing of young Nevisian has been one such occurrence that will remain under a shining light in […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Antigua News Room\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-09-25T15:49:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2018-09-25T16:34:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/philo-wallace-123.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"620\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"413\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@AntiguaNewsRoom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@AntiguaNewsRoom\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Editor\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"14 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Editor\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5\"},\"headline\":\"COMMENTARY: The Tragic Shooting of Philo Wallace\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-09-25T15:49:13+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2018-09-25T16:34:20+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/\"},\"wordCount\":2881,\"commentCount\":1,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:620\/h:413\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/philo-wallace-123.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Letters to the editor\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/\",\"name\":\"COMMENTARY: The Tragic Shooting of Philo Wallace - Antigua News Room\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:620\/h:413\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/philo-wallace-123.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-09-25T15:49:13+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2018-09-25T16:34:20+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:620\/h:413\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/philo-wallace-123.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:620\/h:413\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/philo-wallace-123.jpg\",\"width\":620,\"height\":413},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"COMMENTARY: The Tragic Shooting of Philo Wallace\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/\",\"name\":\"Antigua News Room\",\"description\":\"News As It Happens\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Antigua Newsroom\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg\",\"width\":1260,\"height\":1260,\"caption\":\"Antigua Newsroom\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/AntiguaNewsRoom\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/antiguanewsroom\/\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5\",\"name\":\"Editor\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96\",\"caption\":\"Editor\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/author\/editor\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"COMMENTARY: The Tragic Shooting of Philo Wallace - Antigua News Room","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"COMMENTARY: The Tragic Shooting of Philo Wallace","og_description":"\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0RAWLSTON POMPEY Invariably, some news or occurrences are missed. Occasionally, something captures the attention, provoking curiosity as to inspire the human spirit. Many of today\u2019s occurrences, however, often sadden the heart and dampen the spirit. The tragic killing of young Nevisian has been one such occurrence that will remain under a shining light in […]","og_url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/","og_site_name":"Antigua News Room","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom","article_published_time":"2018-09-25T15:49:13+00:00","article_modified_time":"2018-09-25T16:34:20+00:00","og_image":[{"width":620,"height":413,"url":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/philo-wallace-123.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Editor","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@AntiguaNewsRoom","twitter_site":"@AntiguaNewsRoom","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Editor","Est. reading time":"14 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/"},"author":{"name":"Editor","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5"},"headline":"COMMENTARY: The Tragic Shooting of Philo Wallace","datePublished":"2018-09-25T15:49:13+00:00","dateModified":"2018-09-25T16:34:20+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/"},"wordCount":2881,"commentCount":1,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:620\/h:413\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/philo-wallace-123.jpg","articleSection":["Letters to the editor"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/","url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/","name":"COMMENTARY: The Tragic Shooting of Philo Wallace - Antigua News Room","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:620\/h:413\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/philo-wallace-123.jpg","datePublished":"2018-09-25T15:49:13+00:00","dateModified":"2018-09-25T16:34:20+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:620\/h:413\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/philo-wallace-123.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:620\/h:413\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/philo-wallace-123.jpg","width":620,"height":413},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/commentary-the-tragic-shooting-of-philo-wallace\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"COMMENTARY: The Tragic Shooting of Philo Wallace"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/","name":"Antigua News Room","description":"News As It Happens","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#organization","name":"Antigua Newsroom","url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/mlavawteztbj.i.optimole.com\/w:1080\/h:1080\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_1584.jpeg","width":1260,"height":1260,"caption":"Antigua Newsroom"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/antiguanewsroom","https:\/\/x.com\/AntiguaNewsRoom","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/antiguanewsroom\/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/36cac05ef6398fe56ae3e6317f8535c5","name":"Editor","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536?s=96","caption":"Editor"},"url":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/author\/editor\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20297","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20297"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20297\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/media\/20308"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20297"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20297"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/anr-api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20297"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}