POND ISLAND--The police said on Thursday that they will be sharing “positive news” and informing the media about the ongoing criminal investigation into the killing of Canadian tourist Sylvain Valade (48), who was gunned down in an armed robbery on Beacon Hill Road on June 5.
No further details were given pertaining to nature of the information to be disclosed at the press briefing, which will be held at the Government Administration Building’s conference room, today, Friday, at 12:00pm. The press briefing has been called by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) and St. Maarten Police Force KPSM.
Police spokesman Chief Inspector Ricardo Henson did not provide any information about what the positive news entails, but it is widely believed that the police have arrested a suspect in this case.
The Canadian tourist was shot during an armed robbery in the vicinity of Maho beach. Police said in a press release after the incident that a Canadian man had been walking with his daughter when the two were approached by a suspect who attempted to steal from them.
After a brief struggle, the man was shot and the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle. The victim was flown to Florida, United States, for medical treatment, but succumbed to his injuries.
Detectives called on the community to provide information to assist in the investigation, primarily persons who were in the immediate area when the shooting occurred, and an anonymous tip line was opened.
