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Why did police kill Santo Y. Hernandez? Is it a cover up?

- Probe results were promised end of January 2018 but still not submitted
Santo Y. Hernandez, left, was fatally shot by police on December 6, 2017 in the hills of Butu Mountain on Tortola. Police Commissioner Michael B. Matthews, right, had launched an 'independent investigation' into the shooting. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Santo Y. Hernandez was charged for the murder of Alston E. Penn (in photo) but died before he was tried in a court of law. Photo: Facebook
Mr Santo Y. Hernandez was charged for the murder of Alston E. Penn (in photo) but died before he was tried in a court of law. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Commissioner of Police (CoP), Michael B. Mathews still enjoys goodwill and trust in the Territory. In fact he has emerged as a popular Police Commissioner and, from all indications, the public, the media and police officers have easy access to him.

However, Mr Mathews' credibility is now on the line following the police shooting of Santo Y. Hernandez on December 6, 2017 in the hills of Butu Mountain on Tortola. Mr Hernandez died the next day of the shooting.

The deceased was allegedly in a confrontation with members of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) on the morning of December 6, 2017 after he was found hiding in an abandoned house where he was said to have had a knife. CoP Matthews had described him as “violent.”

Where is the report? Cover up?

Weeks later, a 12-member team from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force arrived in the Virgin Islands (VI) to conduct what Mr Matthews said will be an “independent investigation" into the killing of Mr Hernandez.

Mr Matthews, who promised that the report would be transparent and that it remains “independent from the RVIPF,” added that he is expecting the report by the end of January 2018.

As of today February 16, 2018 the report has not been submitted to the Governor or the CoP and the cost of the investigation is not known at this time.

Many news organisations, civil society and the family of Mr Hernandez, who was buried in his homeland Dominican Republic, are now asking questions as to why the probe results are taking so long to be submitted and then made public.

Mr Hernandez was, before his demise, charged for the murder of Alston E. Penn. He; however, died before he was tried in a court of law.

A check with the police boss, Mr Mathews, confirmed that the report is yet to be submitted to him.

"I ordered the investigation, and whilst I had hoped I would have the report by now I regrettably am still waiting. I can state categorically there will be no cover up and to suggest otherwise is simply false,” Mr Matthews stated.

32 Responses to “Why did police kill Santo Y. Hernandez? Is it a cover up?”

  • huh (16/02/2018, 14:59) Like (7) Dislike (36) Reply
    no wonder people dont trust them
    • Mack (16/02/2018, 15:18) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
      You rather a full investigation with all the facts or a partial investigation? Smh.
    • #!%== (16/02/2018, 16:00) Like (39) Dislike (4) Reply

      Come on HUH, stop the "£%$&*!"£%$ already. We don't know what happen. If the Police Comissioner said he did not received the report, he did not and I believe him. You all are going to miss this Comissioner when his contract is up. This Comissioner seems to be trying so hard to clean up this place and solve crimes but negative people like you HUH choose to keep MUM if you know something or saw something.

      • agree 100% (16/02/2018, 18:01) Like (31) Dislike (4) Reply
        This is one of the best Police Commissioner we have had so far. You can tell he is genuinely trying his best to help us, but he cannot do it by himself. I don't know the Comissioner personally but I know you can trust him. I am going to be sad when his contract is up.
    • tola (16/02/2018, 22:24) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      THE COMMISH HAS NOT BEEN PRESENTED WITH THE REPORT YET ! Would you people rather them rush a report before all info is obtained? The death of this “fine gentleman”will be investigated because we still value the rule of law.We also will support the police as they do a dangerous and thankless job with so many firearms on the island.Hope Mr Hernandez victims also will find justice.
    • FRANK (16/02/2018, 22:57) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      No coverup,...Justice!
    • Skg (19/02/2018, 06:06) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      This man was a MONSTER. Justice done. End of story.
  • TheRealQuestion (16/02/2018, 15:02) Like (40) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why did criminals killed TRINITY MOSES an innocent 11 year old girl?
    • To TheRealQuestion (16/02/2018, 18:08) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      I ask myself that question also. What would possess someone to kill such a beautiful and innocent child. One of the sad thing is that it seems there are people in the community that know who killed the innocent child but none of them want to talk. I know that had to be a scary situation especially for a child. I pray for justice for that sweet child.
      • U.S.V.I mentality (17/02/2018, 17:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Dem want to do things and don’t care who get catch in the crossfire which is really really terrible.
    • Felicia (17/02/2018, 18:57) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      I really don’t think this baby was the target, but just being with people who were the targets. This is so heartbreaking these shootings have gotten out of hand and taking innocent with the intended. We need real police with guns to do their jobs so we can get rid of these murderous criminals and return back to peaceful living.
  • Crazy stuff (16/02/2018, 15:25) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply

    I don't get it.
    Where is the cover up when the article says the CoP and the Governor have not received the report? The CoP ordered the investigation.

  • Really (16/02/2018, 15:34) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply

    How can it be a cover up when he hasn't even received the report? Ridiculous

  • wize up (16/02/2018, 15:38) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    BVI have the best police; I some other jurisdictions world wide once you wanted especially on a murder allegation no police offer Will take any chance with such a subject...we hope and for closure for both families
  • police (16/02/2018, 15:40) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    So if the investigators has not yet submit the report to the commissioner, what the hell all you want him to do, beat it out of them, and no, that's not the reason why all you dont trust the police, the reason is that all you bvislanders support criminal activities when all you benefit from it or its all you friends and family.
    • wize up (16/02/2018, 16:23) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
      you can be an actual police spiting such folly your lips: if you conculude the vi lander benefits from the proceeds of crime you a right hands: you department told the people of this country when the police( your department) will have the finds from an investigation ready( you sound vex because the deadline have passed and the people asking questions(you so full of fu($).....I will meet you face to face then say the very same thing to you(people you can’t put rat to watch the cheese).....who can police investigate police?????
    • BVIslander (17/02/2018, 00:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I support your comment. I am so positive all the crimes especially shootings that has happened, someone knows but just refuse to go forth. How can one sleep at night or live with themselves knowing such. BVI remember God see a everything
  • Pato (16/02/2018, 15:50) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Don't rush to judgment, that report cannot be released to the public as yet, for something else has to occur which would involve members of the public, who will decide what actually happened and that is a Coroner's Inquest. So don't rush the brush, wait to get what actually happened in this incident.
  • ------ (16/02/2018, 16:11) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    @TheRealQuestion, There is not a day goes by that i don't think about that little girl. How can people who know what happen and who is responsible live with themselves. Sorry but, anyone that murder a child needs to be placed in a pool full of sharks and watch the sharks tear them apart.
  • Why (16/02/2018, 16:40) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why did he kill Alston
  • smh (16/02/2018, 16:46) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply
    They killed him because he needed killing....
  • weed (16/02/2018, 17:34) Like (4) Dislike (12) Reply
    Police investigating police how can that be transparency ?
    • out (16/02/2018, 20:38) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Weed will you take on the job to do the investigations
    • NkN (17/02/2018, 08:05) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well put customs or immigration or labour to investigate then. Can they do it? Oh no call in the fbi, Scotland Yard. These what you should get. These be the big dog in investigation. Hope you know they're police agencies still. Just sit yourself and smoke a bit more somehow when the smoke is cleared you might see better.
  • watcher (16/02/2018, 22:10) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    Of course it's a cover up lawless bvi
  • Sweets (16/02/2018, 22:24) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    If he had stayed at Balsom Ghut he would probably had been alive today. This is just a vivid example of karma.
  • Hmm (17/02/2018, 16:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    They can't find out who killed Trinity because the dumb criminals killed the WRONG people! What I believe is that these recent shootings (which coincedentally are same style of shootings) are connected to Trinity's murder. I'm sure the police are thinking the same way but what use is a theory with no concrete evidence?
    • To hmm (17/02/2018, 21:12) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I also believe the recent shooting are related to Trinity's death. I also believe that the West end shooting could have been mistaken identity because things don't add up in that shooting,the only thing that is crystal clear is that an innocent child was gunned down brutally. It makes you wonder if the real intended target or targets are going around seeking revenge at what would have been the end of their lives instead of Trinity and Franklin.
  • bvi (17/02/2018, 20:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I just want to add that if he was armed with a knife why wasn't a less lethal approach taken by the police. If they are wrong then you might have to prepare for the coverup.
  • Bvi weak (19/02/2018, 08:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Vino stay on this please let justice rain


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