St Kitts: Police confirm Henry was killed by gunshots to head and chest

The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force Thursday confirmed a social media report which disclosed Wednesday that Leroy Henry died from gunshot wounds to the chest and head inflicted.

The police statement, however, stopped short of stating that it was a police officer who fired his weapon when he responded to a domestic matter on February 18 and whether the investigation was concluded or continuing.

"Forensic Pathologist, Dr Valery Alexandrov, performed a post-mortem on the body of Leroy Henry. Dr Alexandrov concluded that death was due to equally fatal gunshot wounds to the chest and head. A coroner's inquest into his death is expected to be conducted in the near future," said the police statement issued on its website Thursday.

The autopsy on the body of Henry was carried out on February 22 and its conclusion was only made public on February 28, hours after it was posted on social media.

"It was the two bullets fired from the police officer. One struck him on the left side of the head and exited the other side. The second bullet struck Leroy in the chest and pierced his lungs. The bullets were fatal," said the source who spoke on condition the name not be used. The source also disclosed that the pathologist "deemed his death a homicide."

A police statement issued on February 18 said police responded to a dispute between Leroy and Unella Henry (husband and wife) at about 1:30 a.m. Monday, February 18, at Upper Malone Avenue.

"Preliminary investigations so far have revealed that upon arrival, Police met Leroy Henry attacking Mrs. Henry with a knife. The Police discharged his firearm at Mr. Henry. Preliminary reports also indicate that Mr. Henry attempted to take his own life with the knife. The Emergency Medical Service was summoned to the scene and Mrs. Henry was transported to the JNF Hospital for medical attention. She sustained stab wounds about the body and a knife wound to her neck. She is currently warded in a stable condition. Mr. Henry was pronounced dead at the scene by the District Medical Doctor, the police report said.

Police have not named the officer involved.